Polycyclic and heterocyclic chromophores for bis-imide tumoricidals

A compound of formula I:

• ##STR34## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:
• R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are independently selected at each occurrence from the group:
• H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, OR.sup.4, N(R.sup.4).sub.2, NO.sub.2, CN, F, Cl, Br, I, Ph, and CF.sub.3, and NHC(O)R.sup.4 ;
• R.sup.4 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group:
• H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, Ph, and CH.sub.2 Ph;
• X.sup.1 and Y.sup.1 join together to form:
• a benzene ring substituted with 1-4 R.sup.3 ;
• a five membered heterocycle having 1-2 N, NH, O or S atoms and substituted with 1-2 R.sup.3 provided that the total number of S and O atoms in the heterocycle is not more than 1;
• a six membered heterocycle having 1 N and substituted with 1-2 R.sup.3 ;
• or
• the group:
• ##STR35## wherein one of W or Z is C.dbd.O and the other is C.dbd.O, NH, S or O;
• X.sup.2 and Y.sup.2 are optionally present and when present may join together to form:
• a benzene ring substituted with 1-4 R.sup.3 ;
• a five membered heterocycle having 1-2 N, NH, O or S atoms and substituted with 1-2 R.sup.3 provided that the total number of S and O atoms in the heterocycle is not more than 1;
• a six membered heterocycle having 1 N and substituted with 1-2 R.sup.3 ;
• or
• the group:
• ##STR36## wherein one of W' or Z' is C.dbd.O and the other is C.dbd.O, NH, S or O;
• or
• when X.sup.2 and Y.sup.2 are not joined together and when R.sup.2 is in the 4-position, then X.sup.2 and R.sup.2 may join together to form an ethylene bridge;
• Q is:
• ##STR37## wherein A is NR.sup.8 or ##STR38## R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 are independently selected at each occurrence from the group:
• H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, allyl, or CH.sub.2 G, wherein G is OH, OCH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 SCH.sub.3, (CH.sub.2)qNH.sub.2 and phenyl;
• R.sup.8 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group:
• H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl and allyl;
• m.sup.1, m.sup.2, m.sup.3, and m.sup.4 are independently 0-1, provided that at least two of m.sup.1, m.sup.2, m.sup.3, and m.sup.4 are 1;
• n.sup.1, n.sup.2, n.sup.3, and n.sup.4 are independently 0-1, provided that at least two of n.sup.1, n.sup.2, n.sup.3, and n.sup.4 are 1;
• p.sup.1, p.sup.2, p.sup.3, and p.sup.4 are independently 0-1, provided that at least two of p.sup.1, p.sup.2, p.sup.3, and p.sup.4 are 1;
• and
• q is independently at each occurrence 0-2.