Cytotoxic effects of norethindrone-4β,5β-epoxide to Walker cells in culture and to rat liver in vivo

Selected platinum and ruthenium complexes were tested for their ability to cause Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 to revert to histidine independence. The results indicate that ruthenium compounds are capable of reverting both strains while cis-Cl₂(NH₃)₂Pt primarily causes reversions in strain TA100. In addition, cis-platinum is an order of magnitude more mutagenic and toxic than are the ruthenium complexes. Selected compounds were also tested for their ability to induce the bacterial SOS system in the Bacillus subtilis Comptest. In this system, cis-platinum similarly showed greater inducing ability than did the ruthenium complexes. These results also demonstrated that the nature of the sixth ligand in the ruthenium compounds has a significant effect on the mutagenic capacity of these agents.     

Mechanism of toxicity of platinum(II) compounds in repair-deficient strains of Escherichia coli

The survival of wild-type and repair-deficient Escherichia coli treated with cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂, trans-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ and [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl (dien = H₂NCH₂CH₂NHCH₂CH₂NH₂) was inversely correlated with the ability of these compounds to inhibit DNA synthesis in different bacterial strains. The relative amounts of these 3 compounds covalently bound to DNA immediately after treatment with the same dose were, respectively, 1:?2:1, their relative abilities to inhibit DNA synthesis were 6:1:0 and their relative toxicities toward the wild-type and uvrA strains were 3–5:1:0. More repair synthesis, as measured by density-gradient centrifugation techniques, was observed in wild-type bacteria after treatment with the cis than with the trans isomer whereas no repair synthesis was detected after exposure to [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl.These results are consistent with the hypothesis that cis-Pt(NH₃)Cl₂ binds to DNA and inhibits DNA synthesis thereby killing the cell. The lower toxicity of this compound toward wild-type bacteria compared with repair-deficient strains is in part a consequence of DNA repair. trans-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ and [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl are less toxic than the cis isomer; this lesser toxicity is not a consequence of low levels of DNA binding or enhanced repair of the lesions but appears to reflect a weaker inhibition of DNA synthesis by these Pt-DNA adducts.     

Reinterpretation of the vibrational spectroscopy of the medicinal bioinorganic synthon c,c,t-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2(OH)2]

The Pt(IV) complex c,c,t-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂(OH)₂] is an important intermediate in the synthesis of Pt(IV) anticancer prodrugs and has been investigated as an anticancer agent in its own right. An analysis of the vibrational spectroscopy of this molecule was previously reported (Faggiani et al., Can. J. Chem. 60:529, 1982), in which crystallographic determination of the structure of the complex permitted a site group approach. The space group, however, was incorrectly assigned. In the present study we have redetermined at high resolution crystal structures of c,c,t-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂(OH)₂] and c,c,t-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂(OH)₂]·H₂O₂, which makes possible discussion of the effect of hydrogen bonding on the N–H and O–H vibrational bands. The correct crystallographic site symmetry of the platinum complex in the c,c,t-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂(OH)₂] structure is used to conduct a new vibrational analysis using both group-theoretical and modern density functional theory methods. This analysis reveals the nature and symmetry of the “missing band” described in the original publication and suggests a possible explanation for its disappearance.     

Complexation of cis-Pt and trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 with serum proteins: A potential application for drug delivery

Abbreviations HAS human serum albumin

BSA bovine serum albumin

β-LG beta-lactoglobulin

cis-Pt and trans-Pt Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂

FTIR Fourier transform infrared

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Participation of alkaline phosphatase in the active transport of phosphates in brush border membrane vesicles

This paper reports the separation and preliminary characterization of the products formed by the reaction of the antitumor compound cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ with DNA. Electrophoresis of the acid hydrolysed platinum-DNA complex gave a profile of platinum concentration which contained 5 peaks whose relative intensities varied with the amount of cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ fixed on the DNA. Similar analysis of the products formed between DNA and trans-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ or [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl, which are not active antitumor agents, indicated that these compounds bound to DNA in a different manner than cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂. DNA isolated from Escherichia coli which had been treated with cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ or [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl did not give the same electrophoresis profiles as the corresponding platinum-DNA complexes formed in vitro.     

Specificity of the interaction of DNA-platinum, amount of platinum, and pH measurement]

Interaction between the sodium salt of a DNA extracted from salmon sperm (41% GC) with [Pt(NH₃)₄]Cl₂, [Pt(NH₂? (CH₂)₂? NH? (CH₂)₂? NH₂Cl]Cl, cis-Pt(NH₂? (CH₂)₂? NH₂)Cl₂, cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂, trans-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂, K[Pt(C₂H₄)Cl₃], and K₂[PtCl₄) indicates at least three types of complexation. A correlation is found between the change of pH and the number of platinum atoms fixed per (AT + GC) unit. The first binding site is located on the G-C pairs (guanine–cytosine), most likely the N-7(G) site, as it was shown in a previous study of the guanosine-platinum salts. The fixation of the second platinum atom by the pair (AT + GC) takes place with liberation of protons. In the case of the complexes cis-Pt(NH₂? (CH₂)₂? NH₂)Cl₂, cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂, and trans-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ the second interaction seems to involve simultaneously the N-7(A) and the N-1(G) and N-3(C) sites. This latter intercrosslink between guanine and cytosine obviously liberates protons and the decrease of pH is related in this case to the trans effect of the platinum compounds. The first two platinum atoms in the reaction of K₂PtCl₄] or the Zeise salt, K[Pt(C₂H₄)Cl₃] with DNA are fixed on the G-C pairs. A maximum of six platinum atoms per (AT + GC) unit were fixed in this case. Preliminary experiments with a DNA extracted from bacteria Micrococcus lysodeikticus (72% GC) give similar results.     

Preparation and characterization of (9-methyladenine)triammineplatinum(II) and trans-dihydroxo(9-methyladenine)triammineplatinum(IV) complexes

The preparation is reported of [(NH₃)₃Pt(9- MeA)] X₂ (9-MeA = 9-methyladenine) with XCl (1a) and XClO₄ (1b) and of trans-[(OH)₂Pt(NH₃)₃- (9-MeA)]X₂ with XCl (2a) and XClO₄ (2b), and the crystal structure of 1b. [(NH₃)₃Pt(C₆H₇N₅)](ClO₄)₂ crystallizes in space group P2₁/n with a = 20.810(7) Å, b = 7.697(3) Å, c = 10.567(4) Å, β = 91.57(6)°, Z = 4. The structure was refined to R = 0.054, R_w = 0.063. In all four compounds Pt coordination is through N7 of 9-MeA, as is evident from ³J coupling between H8 of the adenine ring and ¹⁹⁵Pt. Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes can be differentiated on the basis of different ³J values, larger for Pt(II) than for Pt(IV) by a factor of 1.57 (av). In Me₂SO-d₆, hydrogen bonding occurs between Cl^? and C(8)H of 9-MeA as weil as between Cl^? and the NH₃ groups in the case of the Pt(II) complex 1a. Protonation of the 9-MeA ligands was followed using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and pK_a values for the N1 protonated 9-MeA ligands were determined in D₂O. They are 1.9 for 1a and 1.8 for 2a, which compares with 4.5 for the non-platinated 9-MeA. Possible consequences for hydrogen bonding with the complementary bases thymine or uracil are discussed briefly. Protonation of the OH groups in the Pt(IV) complexes has been shown not to occur above pH 1.     

Structure-antitumor activity relationship for new analogs of thecis-dichloro(l,2-diamino cyclohexane) platinum(II) complex

In 1977, Gale and associates reported the synthesis and antitumor activity of a series of Pt(II) complexes containing 1,2-diaminocyclohexane as the ligand. Certain of these complexes showed superior activity and greater water solubility compared to cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ complexes (“Neoplatin”). In this paper we report the synthesis and antitumor activity of some 40 new water soluble platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes. The following classes of the cis-Pt(L)Cl₂ complexes were obtained, where L = 1,2-diaminocyclohexane: (a) cis-Pt(L)(X), where X is a derivative of homophthalic acid or a derivative of 1,3-benzendicarboxylic acid, (b) cis-Pt(L)(X)(OH)₂ and cis-Pt(L)(X)(Cl)₂ complexes, where L and X are the above-mentioned ligands, (c) cis-Pt(L)(X)₂ complexes where X is the monoanion of an organic xanthate or dithiocarbamate and L = 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, (d) their corresponding Pt(IV) analogues, Pt(L)(X)₂(OH)₂ and Pt(L)(X)₂(Cl)₂. All complexes were assayed against P388 tumors and/or KB cell-bearing mice. The observed antitumor activities were correlated with the structures and spectra of the complexes as well as with the results of EHMO calculations performed on the leaving ligand molecules. A number of the most active complexes were also tested for activity against ADJ/PC6 Yoshida and S-180 tumors in vivo.     

Platinum(II) compounds with chelating ligands based on pyridine and pyrimidine: Synthesis, characterizations, DFT calculations, cytotoxic assays and binding to a DNA model base

Two chelating ligands based on secondary amines have been selected to prepare four new Pt(II) compounds. The ligands bis(pyridine-2-yl)amine, abbreviated dpa, and bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)amine, abbreviated dipm, are chosen to design a rigid chelating motif to allow the study of subtle differences in electronic properties and hydrogen bonding ability. Different carrier ligands (i.e. chloride and ammine) have also been introduced to allow a study of structure–activity relationships. Two of the four compounds are cisplatin analogues, whereas the other two are cationic and coordinatively saturated compounds. The four synthesized and characterized compounds are [Pt(dpa)Cl₂], [Pt(dpa)(NH₃)₂](NO₃)₂, [Pt(dipm)Cl₂] and [Pt(dipm)(NH₃)₂](NO₃)₂ with code numbers C1–C4. The spatial structures of all these compounds have also been optimized using DFT (density functional theory) calculations. The cytotoxicity of these compounds has been investigated in seven human tumor cell lines using the SRB (sulforhodamine B) assay. The most promising antitumor active compound appears to be C3, [Pt(dipm)Cl₂]. Two water-soluble compounds, C2 and C4 exhibit selective activity in EVSA-T cell line. In addition, the reaction of the cisplatin analogues with the model base 9-ethylguanine has been followed by proton and platinum NMR spectroscopy.     

Biodirected mutagenic chemical assay of PM10 extractable organic matter in Southwest Mexico City

The concentration of breathable particles (PM₁₀) in urban areas has been associated with increases in morbidity and mortality of the exposed populations, therein the importance of this study. Organic compounds adsorbed to PM₁₀ are related to the increased risk to human health. Although some studies have shown the lack of correlation between specific mutagenic compounds in an organic complex mixture (OCM) and the mutagenic response in several bioassays, the same organic compounds selectively separated in less complex groups can show higher or lower mutagenic responses than in the OCM. In this study, we fractionated the OCM, from the PM₁₀ in four organic fractions of increasing polarity (F1–F4). The Salmonella bioassay with plate incorporation was applied for each one using TA98, with and without S9 (mammalian metabolic activation), and YG1021 (without S9) strains. The most polar fraction (F4) contained the greatest mass followed by F1 (non-polar), F2 and F3 (moderately polar). The concentrations of the OCM as well as the F4 were the only variables correlated with PM₁₀, atmospheric thermal inversions, fire-prone area, NO₂, SO₂, CO, rain and relative humidity. This indicated that polar organic compounds were originated in gas precursors formed during the atmospheric thermal inversions as well as the product of the incomplete combustion of vehicular exhausts and of burned vegetation. The percentages of the total PAH, and the individual PAH with molecular weight ≥ 228 g mol⁻¹ (except retene) correlated with the percentages of indirect-acting mutagenicity in TA98 + S9. The percentages of the total nitro-PAH and most of the analyzed individual nitro-PAH correlated with percentages of the direct-acting mutagenicity in both TA98 − S9 and YG1021, the latter being more sensitive. In general, the highest mutagenic activity (indirect and direct) was found in F3 (moderately polar) and in F4 (polar). The non-polar fraction (F1) did not exhibit any kind of mutagenicity. In 77% of the cases, mutagenic activity was higher in the sum fractions with respect to their OCM. The combinations between F1, F2 and F4, with F3 under different or equal proportions suggested that mutagenicity reduction, in the combined matter of January (with TA98 + S9 and YG1021) and of May (with YG1021), was due to concentrations of mutagens and non-mutagens in each fraction, and not to an antimutagenic effect. The organic compounds present in the non-polar fractions showed no antagonism, inhibition or reduction in the most mutagenic fractions in both indirect- and direct-acting mutagenicity, and the less polar organic compounds in F3 reduced mutagenicity in F4, in both months.     

Studies of the reaction products of adenosine with [Pt(NH3)3Cl]Cl and cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 by high performance liquid chromatography

The reaction products of adenosine with [Pt(NH₃)₃Cl]Cl or cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ have been studied using high performance liquid chromatography and uv spectroscopy. The reaction of [Pt(NH₃)₃Cl]Cl with adenosine (pH = 7.0, Pt/base = 0.5) gives four products. Two of them, mononuclear complexes in which platinum is bound to adenosine through N(7) or N(1), comprise more than 90% of all the products. The N(1) and N(7) sites on adenosine indicate almost equal binding affinity for [Pt(NH₃)₃Cl]Cl. The reaction of cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ with adenosine has been studied in the presence of a large excess of adenosine (Pt/base ? 0.05). The reaction gives four products. One is the monomeric 2:1 complex with cis-Pt(NH₃)₂²⁺ bound to two adenosine molecules through the N(7) site and the N(1) site, and another is the monomeric 2:1 complex with cis-Pt(NH₃)₂²⁺ bound to two adenosine molecules through the N(7) sites. cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂ is stronger affinity to the N(7) site than of adenosine to the N(1) site.     

Crystal structures of three thiourea (tu) complexes of Pt(II): trans-[(tu)2Pt(NH3)2]Cl2, trans-[(tu)2Pt(CH3NH2)2]Cl2·3H2O and [Pt(tu)4]Cl2

The structures of three Pt(II) thiourea complexes, trans-[(tu)₂Pt(NH₃)₂]Cl₂ (1), trans-[(tu)₂Pt(CH₃NH₂)₂]Cl₂·3H₂O (2) and [Pt(tu)₄]Cl₂ (3), have been determined by X-ray diffraction and refined to R = 0.049 for 1026 reflections (1), R = 0.057 for 2547 reflections (2) and R = 0.046 for 2792 reflections (3). All the compounds crystallize in the space group P2₁/c and have cell dimensions: a = 5.437(1), b = 6.450(1), c = 17.980(3) Å, β = 96.05(2)°, Z = 2 (compound 1); a = 9.225(1), b = 15.404(2), c = 12.601(2) Å, β = 105.39(2)°, Z = 4 (compound 2); and a = 9.051(6), b = 10.203(6), c = 18.263(8) Å, β = 91.12(8)°, Z = 4 (compound 3). The unit cell of 1 and 3 contains only a single type of cation, while that of 2 is formed from two independent cations. In 1 and 2 the coordination spheres of the Pt atoms are rather similar, with angles close to 90° and coplanarity of the metal and respective donor atoms. Instead, in 3 the four sulfur atoms, which surround the Pt, display a slight distortion (0.06 Å from the mean plane) towards tetrahedral.     

Mutagenicity of potentially carcinogenic mycotoxins produced byFusarium moniliforme

The mutagenic behaviour of two potentially carcinogenic mycotoxins produced byFusarium moniliforme was investigated in theSalmonella mutagenicity test using tester strains TA97a, TA98, TA100, and TA102. The mutagenic response obtained with fusarin C (1, 5, and 10μg/plate) against tester strains TA98 and TA100 in the presence of microsomal activation confirmed previous observations on the mutagenic behaviour of this mutagen while that obtained against TA97a is reported for the first time. No dose-response relationship could be detected for the concentration levels (0.2, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 mg/plate) tested for FB₁, FB₂, and FB₃ against any of the tester strains used in either the plate incorporation and / or the pre-incubation tests. A cytotoxic effect was obtained at concentration levels of 5 and 10mg/plate in the absence of the microsomal activation mixture. From the studies it became evident thatF moniliforme produces two compounds, a mutagenic compound, fusarin C which has been shown to lack carcinogenic activity in rats and the non-mutagenic fumonisin B mycotoxins of which FB₁ is known to be responsible for the hepatocarcinogenicity of the fungus in rats.     

High performance liquid chromatography studies on the interactions of cis-Pt(NH3)2−(H2O)22+ with guanine and methylated g

Time dependence studies, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), on the reaction between cis-diamminediaquoplatinum and guanine, N1-methylguanine, N7-methylguanine, N9-methylguanine, and N1 ,N7-dimethylguanine are reported. Each reaction gave rise to eight or more compounds; the major components have been prepared and characterization by ¹H and ¹⁹⁵Pt nuclear magnetic resonance has been attempted. Species of the form ((NH₃)₂Pt(NO₃)-(G-H)-(NO₃)-Pt(NH₃)₂)⁺, (NH₃)₂,Pt(G-H)(NO₃) monomer and (NH₃)₂Pt(G-H)(NO₃) dimer, where G-H indicates the guanine monoanion, are postulated.     

Inverse correlation between combined mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium and strength of coordinate bond in mixtures of cobalt(II) chloride and 4-substituted pyridines

Cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl₂), non-mutagenic by itself, has been tested for mutagenic activity in the presence of 4-substituted pyridines in the test strains of Salmonella typhimurium. CoCl₂ was found to be mutagenic in strains TA1537 and TA2637, when combined pyridine, with methyl isonicotinate, 4-methylpyridine, 4-ethylpyridine, 4-chloropyridine or 4-bromopyridine. Mixtures of CoCl₂ and isonicotinic acid, 4-cyanopyridine, 4-aminopyridine, or 4-dimethylaminopyridine exhibited no mutagenicity. Judging from the spectral observations, such combined mutagenicity may be due to the formation of moderate to weak complexes between these compounds and the Co(II) cation.     

The Reaction of Pt-Antitumor Drugs with Selected Nucleophiles.: II. Preparation and Characterization of Coordination Compounds of Pt(II) andl-Histidine

Various His-Pt(II) coordination compounds were prepared by reaction of K₂PtCl₄ or cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂](cis-DDP) with His and analyzed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, electrophoresis, and ion-exchange chromatography. His may be coordinated to Pt by the imidazol iminogroup and/or the α-aminogroup; the carboxy group remains always free. Both bidentate as well as monodentate ligands were identified. Cis-DDP reacts with His to give a mixture of compounds where all these possibilities are present: cis-diamine-(histidine-N,N-)Pt(II) and three different types of cis-diammine-bis(histidine). HCl trans cleavage of compounds with bidentate His ligands leads to a mixture of two compounds having His ligated to Pt by an amino or imin group. The methods applied are suitable for analyzing reactions of His with cis-DDP under model conditions similar to physiological conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of the novel Pt(II) complexes of the types cis- and trans-Pt(Ypy)(pyrazine)Cl2, K2[Cl3Pt(μ-pyrazine)PtCl3] and trans, trans-(Ypy)Cl2Pt(μ-pyrazine)Pt(Ypy)Cl2 (Ypy = pyridine derivative)

New types of Pt(II) mixed-ligand complexes containing a pyridine derivative (Ypy) and pyrazine (pz) were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and by multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹⁵Pt) magnetic resonance. The complexes cis-Pt(Ypy)(pz)Cl₂ were synthesized from the reaction of K[Pt(Ypy)Cl₃] with pyrazine (1:1 proportion) in water. When the reaction was carried on in a 2:1 ratio, a mixture of compounds was obtained, which was refluxed in CH₂Cl₂ for several days. The final product was found to be pure and it was identified as trans,trans-Cl₂(Ypy)Pt(μ-pyrazine)Pt(Ypy)Cl₂. The cis monomers isomerize to the trans isomers in organic solvents. Different methyl derivatives of pyridine were studied in order to determine the influence of substitution in ortho position on the pyridine ligand in the complexes. In IR spectroscopy, the cis monomers showed two ν(Pt-Cl) bands, while the trans monomers and dinuclear species showed only one ν(Pt-Cl) band. The NMR results were interpreted in relation to the solvent effect, which seems important in these complexes. The ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR signals of the cis monomers were found at slightly higher fields than those of the corresponding trans isomers. The coupling constants J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹H) and J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹³C) are larger in the cis geometry. The δ(¹⁹⁵Pt) of the dinuclear species were found close to those of the trans monomers and the coupling constants are similar to those of the trans monomers, strongly suggesting a trans-trans configuration for the dinuclear compounds. The pyrazine-bridged complex K₂[Cl₃Pt(μ-pz)PtCl₃] was also synthesized and spectroscopically studied. The crystal structures of the compounds cis-Pt(3,5-lut)(pz)Cl₂ and trans-Pt(2,4,6-col)(pz)Cl₂ were determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Synthesis and characterization of [Pt(COD)Cl(NO3)] and [Pt(COD)(NO3)2] and the use of [Pt(COD)Clx(NO3)2−x] in the preparation of cis[Pt(PPh3)2Clx(NO3)2−x] (x=0, 1, 2) and [Pt(PPh3)3L](NO3) (L=Cl,NO3)

[Pt(COD)Cl₂] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene) is a versatile starting material for the synthesis of Pt(II) compounds. The preparations of the new compounds [Pt(COD)Cl(NO₃)], [Pt(COD)(NO₃)₂] and [Pt(PPh₃)₃(NO₃)](NO₃) and also of the known compounds cis[Pt(PPh₃)₂Cl₂], cis [Pt(PPh₃)₂Cl(NO₃)], cis[Pt(PPh₃)₂(NO₃)₂] and [Pt(PPh₃)₃Cl](NO₃)are reported. The compounds are characterized by elemental analysis, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy.     

Tris(1-methylcytosine-N3)ammineplatinum(II) perchlorate monohydrate,a model for simultaneous binding of three nucleobases to a single metal ion

A Pt(II) complex containing three 1-methylcytosine ligands (C), [Pt(NH₃)C₃] (CIO₄)₂· H₂], has been prepared starting with cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂, and its crystal structure has been determined. The title compound represents a model of a hypothetical interaction of cis.Pt(II) with three biomolecules which proceeds via an intermediate monochloro complex, cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂CCl]Cl, and loss of ammonia from this compound. [Pt(NH₃)C₃](ClO₄)₂·H₂O crystallizes in space group P2₁/c (No. 14) with a = 15.296(3), b = 4.666(3), c = 14.025(2) Å, β = 122.61(1)° and has 4 formula units in the unit cell. Data were collected with use of a Syntex P2₁ diffractometer and MoKα radiation. The crystal structure was determined by standard methods and refined to R₁ = 0.043 and R₂ = 0.056 based on 2925 independent reflections. The compound contains the three 1-methylcytosine ligands bound through N(3) with the three ligands almost perpendicular to the Pt coordination plane. The two C ligands trans to each other have identical orientations with respect to the platinum square plane whereas the cytosine trans to NH₃ has the opposite orientation. Bond lengths and angles are normal.     

Structural specificity of aromatic compounds with special reference to mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium — a series of chloro- or fluoro-nitrobenzene derivatives

The mutagenicity of 21 chloro- or fluoronitrobenzene compounds and 9 chloro- or fluorobenzene compounds in Salmonella typhimurium (strains TA98, TA1538, TA1537, TA100 and TA1535) was examined. The tests were carried out under the conditions of absence and presence of liver microsomal activation.15 nitro-group compounds had mutagenic activity; above all, compounds of fluoronitrobenzene were mutagenic for both types of strain. On the other hand, chloronitrobenzene compounds were mutagenic for base-pair substitution strains only. Mutagenic activity was exhibited by all compounds having a chloro or fluoro substituent at the para and ortho position in the nitrobenzene nucleus. All compounds without a nitro substituent showed no mutagenic activity.