Azaindole derivatives, process for their preparation, and their use as antitumor agents

A compound of formula (II):

• wherein
• R is:
• a halogen atom or
• is selected from the group consisting of —CN, —OH, —OCOR4, —(CH2)nNH2, —(CH2)nNHR4, —(CH2)nNHCOR4, —(CH2)nNHCONR4R5, —(CH2)nNHCOOR4, and —(CH2)nNHSO2R4,
• wherein n is either 0 or 1, and wherein
• R4 and R5 are, independently from each other, hydrogen or an optionally substituted group selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl or, taken together to the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, form an optionally substituted heterocyclyl group;
• and
• R1 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl group,
• provided that when R1 is hydrogen, then R is not hydroxy, amino or ureido and
• provided that when R1 is chloromethyl or dimethylaminomethyl, then R is not a chlorine atom at position 6.

A compound of formula (II):

• wherein
• R is:
• a halogen atom or
• is selected from the group consisting of —CN, —OH, —OCOR4, —(CH2)nNH2, —(CH2)nNHR4, —(CH2)nNHCOR4, —(CH2)nNHCONR4R5, —(CH2)nNHCOOR4, and —(CH2)nNHSO2R4,
• wherein n is either 0 or 1, and wherein
• R4 and R5 are, independently from each other, hydrogen or an optionally substituted group selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkylalkenyl, cycloalkylalkynyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclylalkenyl, heterocyclylalkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl or, taken together to the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, form an optionally substituted heterocyclyl group;
• and
• R1 is an optionally substituted alkyl group,
• with the proviso that when R is chlorine at position 6, then R1 is not methyl substituted with chlorine or methyl substituted with dimethylamino.