Diversity-oriented synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonates: A new class of potential anticancer agents

A small library of structurally diverse alpha-aminophosphonates has been synthesized by reacting alkyl/aryl aldehydes, alkyl/aryl amines and alkyl/aryl phosphites in one-pot catalyzed by Amberlite-IR 120 resin (acidic). All the synthesized alpha-aminophosphonates were assayed for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against a panel of five human cancer cell lines including A-549, NCI-H23 (Lung), Colo 320DM (Colon), MG-63 (Bone marrow) and Jurkat (Blood T lymphocytes). Compound 4n having (R)-1-phenylethanamine was found to be the most active amongst all the synthesized alpha-aminophosphonates against all the five cancer cell lines, most prominent being against Jurkat cell line with an IC50 value of 4 mu M. Surprisingly, compound 4o having (S)-1-phenylethanamine was found to be devoid of any cytotoxicity. Our finding suggests that these chemical entities could further serve as interesting template for the design of potential anticancer agents. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.