Expeditious synthesis and cytotoxic activity of new cyanoindolo[3,2-c]quinolines and benzimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolines

Novel 6-cyanoindolo[3,2-c]quinoline and 6-cyanobenzimidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline derivatives have been synthesised by treatment of the appropriate aromatic amines with 4,5-dichloro-1,2,3-dithiazolium chloride 1 (Appel salt). The cytotoxicity and the effect of these compounds on cellular growth were measured.