title: Potential radiosensitizing agents. 5. 2-Substituted benzimidazole derivatives.
abstract: A series of 2-substituted benzimidazoles and their derivatives have been synthesized and tested for their ability to selectively sensitize hypoxic Chinese hamster cells (V-79) toward the lethal effect of ionizing radiation. These compounds were prepared by reacting the 2-substituted benzimidazoles with 1,2-epoxy-3-methoxypropane in the presence of potassium carbonate. Reaction of the 2-nitro and 2-methylfonyl analogue with the epoxide also yielded a cyclized material, which was confirmed to be a benzimidazo[2,1-b]oxazole. In an attempt to increase the electron affinity, 5- or 6-nitro-2-substituted-benzimidazoles were also synthesized and then reacted with the epoxide to yield the corresponding 1-substituted derivatives. The results of the biological tests for the radiosensitizing activity of these agents against Chinese hamster cells (V-79) in culture indicated that the 2-nitro-substituted analogues were the most effective sensitizers in this series.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D005720:Gamma Rays; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis*
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents