Camptothecin derivatives, preparations thereof and antitumor agents

Abstract

New camptothecin derivatives of the general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy group, R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, hydroxyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 acyloxy or methoxyethoxymethoxy group, R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, and R.sup.5 represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 unsaturated alkyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, pyridyl or substituted phenyl group, with the proviso that all of the R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 substituents should not be a hydrogen atom, and a process for preparing the new camptothecin derivatives by subjecting the camptothecin derivatives of the general formula (2): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 have the same meanings as given above, to the reaction with N,N-dimethylethylenediamine without solvent to open the E-lactone ring followed by acylation of 17-hydroxyl group with corresponding acylating agents and an antitumor agent containing the same as an active ingredient.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.