Synthesis and hypoxia-selective cytotoxicity of a 2-nitroimidazole mustard

A four-step synthesis of 5-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-1-methyl-2-nitroimidazole from 1-methyl-2-nitroimidazole is described. This compound showed similar hypoxia-selective cytotoxicity to the dinitrobenzamide mustard SN 23862 in UV4 cells (ca. 40-fold), and superior selectivity (>7-fold) in repaircompetent AA8 cells.