Synthesis and cytotoxicity of 7,8-dihalopyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole-6,9-dione and its 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro analogue

An efficient synthesis of 8-bromo-7-chloropyrido[1,2-a]-benzimidazole-6,9-dione and its 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro analogue from N-(4-chloro-2-nitrophenyl)pyridinium chloride has been accomplished. The study for antitumour activity against cancer cell lines such as A549, SH-SY5Y, Hep-2, HeLa and MCF-7 revealed that the cytotoxic effect of the compounds obtained was several times higher than that of Mitomycin C.