Synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel phenyl substituted sydnone series as potential antitumor agents

A series of compounds containing an N-(4′-substituted-3′-nitrophenyl)sydnone moiety with potential antitumor activity was prepared based on active analogues. The rationale behind the design of these compounds is presented along with the 4-step synthetic route to the derivatives in the 4′-position of the phenyl sydnone framework. Out of the six novel compounds, the 4′-fluoro derivative has an improved activity against all three cell lines as compared to the earlier leads.