(E)-6-(1-alkyloxyiminoalkyl)-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinones: synthesis, cytotoxic activity and antitumor activity

All of 13 (E)-6-(1-alkyloxyiminomethyl)-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives synthesized showed high ED50 values, ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 μg/mL against L1210 cells. However, they were inactive on A549 cells. Nine compounds exhibited higher T/C (%) values (318–388%) than Adriamycin (T/C, 315%).