New podophyllotoxin dimer as DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors, and a process for the preparation therefore

Abstract

The present invention discloses novel podophyllotoxin dimers having structural formula I 1 wherein R is H or CH.sub.3 and Z is an aryl or substituted aryl compound selected from the group consisting of phenylene, naphthalene, p-terphenyl, dimethoxy benzidine and diphenyl ether and a process for the preparation of said novel podophyllotoxin dimers. The new podophyllotoxin dimers, particularly 4.beta.-arylamino derivatives of the podophyllotoxin dimers of this present invention are useful as potent inhibitors of DNA-topoisomorase II and are also useful as antitumour agents.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of new podophyllotoxin dimers as DNA-topoisomerase II inhibitors.

[0002] The present invention particularly relates to the synthesis of a new class of 4.beta. arylamino derivatives of the podophyllotoxin dimers as potent inhibitors of DNA-topoisomerase II and as useful antitumour agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Podophyllotoxin is a plant toxin that inhibits the assembly of microtubules. It was first isolated from the North American plant Podophyllum peltatum linnaeus, commonly known as 1880. 13, 29]. The naturally occurring aryltetralin lignans of podophyllotoxin and desoxypodophyllotoxins have been attempted in the treatment of human neoplasia. These have been mostly unsuccessful and complicated by side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and damage to normal tissues [Jardin, I. Podophylltoxius, in Anticancer Agents Based an Natural Product Models: Casady, J. M.; Douras, J. D.; Eds; Academic Press: New York, 1980, pp 319-351]. Extensive structural modifications of podophyllotoxin ring system have been performed in order to obtain more potent and less toxic anticancer agents, which resulted in the synthesis of etoposide and teniposide. These two semi-synthetic glycoside derivatives of podophyllotoxin have been shown to be active in the treatment of a number of cancers including symptoms, acute leukemia, cancers of the lung, ovary, testis, bladder and brain and kaposis sarcoma associated with the acquired immuno deficiency syndrome [Sackcett. D. L. Podophyllotoxin, Steganacin and Cambrafastatin: Natural Products that Bind at the Colchicine Site of Tubulin, Pharm. Ther. 1998, 59, 163-228].

[0004] Etoposide (VP-16) is a widely used antineoplastic agent. The mechanism of action of this drug is due to its ability to inhibit the enzyme DNA-topoisomerase II by stabilizing a cleavable enzyme DNA complex in which the DNA is cleaved and covalently linked to the enzyme [Ross, W. Rowe, T.; Glisson, B.; Yalowich J; and Liu, L. Role of Topoisomerase II in Mediating Podophyllotoxin-Induced DNA Cleavage Cancer Res.; 1984, 44: 5857-5860].

[0005] The structural modifications or podophyllotoxin and desoxypodophyllotoxin have led to some non-sugar substituted analogues particularly nitrogen containing derivatives as 4.beta.-N-alkylamino/aryl- amino compounds of 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin. These are as active or more active than etoposide in their inhibition of the human DNA topoisomerase II. Amongst these N-linked congenets NPF [4'-0-demethyl-4.beta.-(4" fluoranilino)-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin] and W-68 [4'-0-demethyl-4.beta.-(4"-nitroanilino)-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin] have been shown better anticancer activity in their preclinical studies [Zhang, Y. L. ; Tropsha, A.; Mephenol, A. T.; Lee, K-H, J. Med Chem 1994, 37, 1460]. NPF is the most active drug which is having 10-fold more potency in inhibiting human DNA topoisomerase II and 113 times more activity in cellular protein-DNA complex formation when compared to etoposide. In the in vitro human tumour cell lines assay, it has proven to be very active.

[0006] The structure activity relationship studies, revealed the following features

[0007] (i) the presence of a 4'-phenolic hydroxyl group.

[0008] (ii) maintenance of an intact methylenedioxy system of ring A

[0009] (iii) the free rotation of E-ring

[0010] (iv) a -N atom containing at C-4.beta.-position.

[0011] The drawbacks of the referred work are that in the treatment of human neoplasia, they have been found to be mostly unsuccessful and complicated by the side effects such as nausea vomiting diarrhea and damage to normal tissues. These significant findings prompted to synthesize a new class of 4-arylamino derivatives of the podophyllotoxin dimers as potent inhibitors of DNA-topoisomerase II and as useful antitumour agents.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The main object of the present invention is to provide novel podophyllotoxin dimers as DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is provide a process for the synthesis of new podophyllotoxin dimers as DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors, which obviates the drawbacks as detailed above.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and stereo-selective dimers of the podophyllotoxins and 4'-O-demethylepidophyllotixon in good yields.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide the key step for the synthesis of these dimers by direct nucleophilic substitution of the C 4.beta. bromo intermediates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing the new class of C-4.beta.-arylsubstituted N-linked dimers of podophyllotoxin and 4'-O-demethyle pipodophyllotoxins which have been synthesized as DNA-topoisomerase II inhibitors shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Accordingly, the present invention provides Novel podophyllotoxin dimers having structural formula I 2

[0018] where R is H or CH.sub.3 and Z is an aryl or substituted aryl compound selected from the group consisting of phenylene, naphthalene, p-terphenyl, dimethoxy benzidine and diphenyl ether.

[0019] The present invention also provides a process for preparing new podophyllotoxin dimers as claimed in claim 1, said process comprising

[0020] (a) stirring a solution of aromatic diamine, a base and a phase transfer catalyst in a dry organic solvent at temperature in the range of -10 to 30.degree. C.;

[0021] (b) adding slowly 4.beta.-bromo podophyllotoxin to the above solution;

[0022] (c) stirring the above reaction mixture continuously for a time period ranging between 6 to 12 hrs;

[0023] (d) evaporating the solvent by known methods; and

[0024] (e) dissolving the residue in a polar solvent followed by washing and separating the product by conventional methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

[0025] FIG. 1 discloses the process for the synthesis of new podophyllotoxin dimers as DNA-topoisomerase II inhibitors produces the novel and stereo-selective dimers of the podophyllotoxin in good yields.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The process for the synthesis of new podophyllotoxin dimers as DNA-topoisomerase II inhibitors produces the novel and stereo-selective dimers of the podophyllotoxin in good yields, wherein, the key step for the synthesis of these dimers is by direct nucleophilic substitution of C-4.beta.-bromo intermediates, 4.beta.-bromo-podophyllotoxin and 4'-O-demethyl-4.beta.-bromo podophyllotoxin, which have been reacted with diamino aryl compounds with or without substitution in a stereo-selective manner to afford the 4.beta.-N-linked dimers of podophyllotoxin (FIG. 1).

[0027] These bromo intermediates have been prepared by the bromination of the related podophyllotoxin compounds as described in the literature [Kuhn, M.; Keller-Juslen, C.; Van wartburg, A. Helv. Chemica.Acta., 1969, 52, 944].

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention the naturally occurring podophyllotoxin lignan was isolated from Podophyllum peltatum linnaeus.

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention the synthesis of 4.beta.-bromo intermediates were carried out from bromination of podophyllotoxin and 4'-O-demethylepipodophyllotoxin.

[0030] In yet another embodiment of the present invention different unsubstituted and substituted diamino aryl compounds in 0.3 eq to 0.5 eq was used.

[0031] In still another embodiment of the present invention a variety of solvents were used for the nucleophilic substitution step, such as dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran and benzene.

[0032] In still yet another embodiment of the present invention the catalytic amount of Bu.sub.4N.sup.+T was used (0.5 eq-1.0 eq) by stirring the reaction mixture between -10.degree. C. to room temperature for 6 to 12 h.

[0033] In still another embodiment of the present invention bases like K.sub.2CO.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3, Et.sub.3N were used.

[0034] In still another embodiment of the present invention the purification of dimers was done by column chromatography using chloroform/methanol, ethylacetate/hexane, and chloroform/acetone/ethylace- tate etc.

[0035] Thus the present invention provides a new class of podophyllotoxin dimers have been synthesized in a stereoselective manner.

[0036] The following examples are given by way of illustrations and therefore should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

[0037] Experimental

[0038] Typical Procedure:

[0039] Preparation of C-4.beta.-bromo/4'O-demethyl podophyllotoxin: Hbr was passed thorough a solution of podophyllotoxin (414 mg, 1 mmol) or 4'-O-dementhyl podophyllotoxin (400 mg, 1 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 ml) at 0.degree. C. for 45 minutes. After the completion of reaction, the solvent was evaporated in vacuum, which was then used for the next reaction with aryl amines without further purification.

EXAMPLE 1

[0040] 1",4"-[Bis-(4.beta.-N-podophyllotoxin)] phenylene diamine (3a): To a stirred solution of 1,4-phenylene diamine (54 mg, 0.5 mmol), Et.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) and Bu.sub.4N.sup.+T (185 mg, 0.5 mmol) in dry THF (10 ml) at room temperature, a solution of 4.beta.-bromo podophyllotoxin (476 mg, 1.0 mmol) in THF (20 ml) was added slowly at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. The stirring was continued for 6 hr. After completion of the reaction, as indicated by TLC, the THF was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in the chloroform and washed with water. This was then subjected to column chromatography on silicagel using chloroform: acetone: ethylacetate (9.5: 0.5: 0.5) as eluents in the pure dimer in 80% yield.

[0041] Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR(CDCl.sub.3); 6.78 (S, 2H), 6.50 (S, 2H), 632-645 (d, 4H), 6.26 (S, H) 5.90-6.00 (ABq, 4H), 4.50-4.61 (br, 4H), 4.28-4.40 (d, 2H), 3.98-4.10 (t, 2H), 3.70-3.80 (d, 18H), 3.40-3.60 (br,2H), 3.07-3.22 (dd, 2H), 2.82-3.05 (m, 2H); FAB MS: m/z 900 (M.sup.+); mp. 197-199.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 2

[0042] 1",5"-[Bis-(4.beta.-N-podophyllotoxin)] naphthalene diamine(4a) was prepared according to the method described for the compound 3a, employing the 1,5-diamino naphthalene (80 mg, 0.5 mmol), Bu.sub.4N.sup.+T (185 mg, 0.5 mmol), Et.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) and 4.beta.-bromopodophyllotoxin (476 mg, 1.0 mmol) to give 4a in the 78% yield.

[0043] Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR(CDCl.sub.3): 733-743 (d, 2H), 7.16-7.28 (t, 2H), 6.78 (S, 2H), 6.56-6.63 (d, 2H), 6.53 (S, 2H), 6.33 (S, 4H), 5.90-600 (ABq, 4H), 5.49-5.59 (br, 2H, NH), 4.92-5.05 (br, 2H), 4.55-4.64 (d, 2H), 4.34-4.48 (t, 2H), 3.80-4.93 (t, 2H), 3.75 (S, 18H), 3.49-3.65 (dd, 2H), 2.95-3.10 (m, 2H), FAB MS. m/z 951 (M.sup.+1), mp. 227-230.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 3

[0044] 4",4'" [Bis(4.beta.-N-podophyllotoxin)] p-terphenyl diamine (5a) was prepared according to the method described earlier, employing 4,4'-diamino-p-terphenyl (130 mg, 0.5 mmol), Bu.sub.4N.sup.+T (185 mg, 0.5 mmol), Rt.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) and bromo podophyllotoxin (476 mg, 1.0 mmol) to give the product in 75% yield. Spectral data: .sup.1HNMR (CDCl.sub.3); 7.63 (d, 4H), 7.50-7.58 (d, 4H), 6.88 (S, 2H), 6.62-6.72 (d, 4H), 6.60 (S, 2H), 6.37 (S, 4H), 6.00-6.08 (ABq, 4H), 4.78 (br, 2H), 4.62-4.70 (d, 2H), 4.42-4.53 (t, 2H), 4.03 4.18 (t, 2H), 3.92-4.09 (d, 2H), 3.86 (d, 18H), 3.16-3.28 (dd, 2H), 2.97-3.13 (m,2H); FAB MS: m/z 1052 (M.sup.+); mp. 203-206.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 4

[0045] 3",-3'"- [Bis-(4.beta.-N-podophyllotoxin)]diamino dimethoxy bonzidine (6a) was prepared by the same procedure described earlier using 3,3' diamino-dimethoxy benzidine (122 mg, 0.5 mmol) Bu.sub.4N.sup.+T (185 mg, 0.5 mmol), Et.sub.3N (150 g, 1.5 mmol) and 4.beta.-bromo podophyllotoxin (476 mg, 10 mmol) to give the product in 78% yield Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3); 6.98-7.05 (d, 2H), 6.94 (S, 2H), 6.78 (S, 2H), 6.55 (S, 2H), 6.45-6.52 (d, 2H), 6.32 (S,4H) 5.99 (AB.sub.4, 4H), 4.70 (br, 2H), 4.60-4.67 (d, 2H), 4.34-4.49 (t, 2H), 4.00 (t,2H), 3.93 (S,6H), 3.80 (d, 18H), 3.13 3.28 (dd, 2H), 2.90 3.12 (m, 2H); FAB MS: m/z 1036 (M.sup.-); mp. 204-207.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 5

[0046] 4",4'"-[bis-(4.beta.-N-podophyllotoxin)] diamino diphenylether (7a) was synthesized by the method described for earlier compounds employing, 4,4'-diamino diphenylether (100 mg, 0.5 mmol), bromopodophyllotoxin (476 mg, 1.0 mmol) Bu.sub.4N.sup.+T (185 mg, 0.5 mmol) and Et.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) to give 7a in 78% yield. Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3); 6.81-6.90 (d, 4H), 6.79 (S, 2H), 649-6.53 (d, 4H), 6.47 (S, 2H), 6.29 (S, 4H), 5.95-6.00 (ABq, 4H), 4.56-4.63 (d, 4H), 4.34-4.45 (t, 2H), 3.98-4.10 (t, 2H), 3.74-3.82 (d, 18H), 3.67-3.72 (d,2H), 3.10-3.21 (dd, 2H), 2.91-3.07 (m, 2H); FAB MS: m/z 993 (M.sup.+1); mp. 201-204.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 6

[0047] 2",7"-[Bis-(4.beta.-N-podophyllotoxin)] diaminofluorene (8a) was prepared by the same method described earlier, employing 2,7-diamino flourene (135 mg, 0.5 mmol), Bu.sub.4NT (185 mg, 0.5 mmol) and Et.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) and 4.beta.-bromo podophyllotoxin (476 mg, 1.0 mmol) to give 8a in 75% yield Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3); 7.39-7.50 (d, 2H), 6.82 (S, 2H), 6.68 (S, 2H), 6.45-6.58 (br, 4H), 6.31 (S, 4H), 5.92-6.01 (ABq, 4H), 4.71 (br, 2H), 4.60 (d, 2H), 4.38-4.48 (t, 2H), 4.00-4.13 (t, 2H), 3.80 (d, 18H), 3.10-3.22 (dd, 2H), 2.90-3.10 (m, 2H); FAB MS: m/z 988 (M.sup.+); mp. 215-218.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 7

[0048] 1",4"-Bis-(4'-O-dementhyl-4.beta.-N-4-desoxypodophyllootoxin)]Pheny- lene diamine (3b) was synthesized by the procedure described for earlier compounds, employing 1,4-phenylene diamine (54 mg, 0.5 mmol), Bu.sub.dN.sup.+T (185 mg, 0.5 mmol), Et.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol), and 4'-O-dementyl-4.beta.-bromo-4-desoxy-podophyllotoxin (462 mg, 1.0 mmol) to give the product in 76% yield. Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3); 6.72-6.85 (m, 4H), 6.46 (S,2H), 6.36 (S, 2H), 6.22-6.30 (S, 4H), 5.88-5.98 (ABq. 4H), 5.34 (S, 2H), 4.52 (br, 2H), 420-4.40 (t, 2H), 3.90-4.10 (t,2H), 3.75 (S, 6H), 3.16-3.35 (m, 4H); FAB MS: m/z 872(M.sup.+); mp. 216-219.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 8

[0049] 1",5"-[Bis-(4'-O-demethyl-4.beta.-N-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin)] naphthalene diamine (4b) was prepared according to the method described earlier, employing 1,5-diamino naphthalene (80 mg, 0.5 mmol), Bu.sub.4N.sup.+T (185 mg, 0.5 mmol), Et.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) and 4'-O-demethyl-4.beta.-bromo-4-desoxy podophyllotoxin (462 mg, 1.0 mmol) to give the product in 76% yield. Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3); 7.22-7.28 (d, 2H), 7.10-7.19 (t, 2H), 6.73 (S, 2H), 6.58 (S, 2H), 6.50 6.55 (d, 2H), 6.33 (S, 4H), 5.98 (ABq, 4H), 5.34 (S, 2H), 4.87 (br, 2H), 4.63 4.70 (d, 2H), 4.52 4.59 (d, 2H), 436-4.48 (t, 2H), 3.85-3.95 (d, 2H), 3.82 (3, 6H), 3.20-3.31(dd, 2H), 2.98-3.16(m, 2H); FAB MS: m/z 922 (M.sup.+); mp 238-240.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 9

[0050] 4",4'"-[Bis-(4'-O-demethyl-4.beta.-N-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin)]-p-te- rphenyl diamine (5b) was prepared according to the method described earlier, employing 4,4'-diamino-p-terphenyl (130 mg, 0.5 mmol), Bu.sub.4NT (185 mg, 0.5 mmol), Et.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) and 4'-O-diemthyl-4.beta.-bromo podophyllotoxin (462 mg, 1.0 mmol) to give the product in 72% yield. Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3); 7.57 (S, 4H), 7.42-7.52 (s, 4H), 6.81 (S, 2H), 6.58-6.67 (d, 4H), 6.55 (S, 2H), 6.32 (S, 4H), 5.98 (Abq, 4H), 5.35 (S, 2H), 4.70-4.78 (br, 2H), 4.60 (d, 2H), 435-4.48 (t, 2H), 4.00-4.11 (t,2H), 3.90 (br, 2H) 3.82 (S, 6H), 3.10-3.21 (dd 2H), 2.94-3.08 (m, 2H); FAB MS: m/z: 1024(M.sup.+); mp. 226-229.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 10

[0051] 3",3'"-[Bis-(4'-O-demethyl-4.beta.-N-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin)] dimethoxy benzidine (6b) was prepared according to the method described for earlier compounds, employing 3,3'-dimethoxy benzidine (122 mg, 0.5 mmol), Bu.sub.4N+T.sup.- (185 mg, 0.5 mmol), Et.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) and 4'-O-demethyl-4.beta.-bromo podophyllotoxin (462 mg, 1.0 mmol) to give the product in 70% yield. Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3), 7.00-7.08 (d, 2H), 6.97 (S, 2H), 6.81 (S, 2H), 6.58 (S, 2H), 6.49-6.55 (d, 2H), 6.36 (S, 4H), 6.01 (ABq, 4H), 5.40 (S, 2H), 4.73 (br, 2H), 4.62-4.68 (d, 2H), 4.37-4.50 (m, 4H),4.00-4.10 (t, 2H), 3.95 (S, 6H), 3.84 (S, 6H), 3.18-3.30 (dd, 2H), 2.98-3.15 (m, 2H); FAB MS: m/z 1008 (M.sup.+), mp. 215-218.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 11

[0052] 4",4'" [Bis(4' O demethyl-4.beta.-N-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin)] diamino diphenylether (7b) was prepared by the same procedure described earlier, employingg 4,4' diamino diphenylether (100 mg, 0.5 mmol), Ru.sub.4N.sup.+T (185 mg, 0.5 mmol), Ft.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) and bromo compound (462 mg, 1.0 mmol) to give the product in 75% yield. Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3); 6.85 6.95 (d, 4H), 6.81 (8, 2H), 6.55 (S, 2H), 6.48 6.54 (d, 4H), 6.34 (S, 2H), 6.01 (ABq. 4H), 5.39 (S, 2H), 4.59-4.69 (m, 4H), 4.35-4.45 (t, 2H), 4.00-4.12 (t, 2H), 3.86 (S, 6H), 3.68-3.76 (d,2H), 3.11-3.23 (dd, 2H), 2.94-3.10 (m, 2H); FAB MS: m/z 964 (M.sup.+); mp. 217-219.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 12

[0053] 2",7"-[Bis-(4'-O demethyl-4.beta.-N-4 desoxypodophyllotoxin)] diamino flourene (8b) was prepared according to the procedure described for the earlier compounds, employing 2,7-diamino flourene (135 mg, 0.5 mmol), Bu.sub.4N.sup.+T (185 mg, 0.5 mmol), Et.sub.3N (150 mg, 1.5 mmol) and 4'-O-demethyl-4.beta.-bromo podophyllotoxin (462 mg, 1.0 mmol) to give the product in 70% yield. Spectral data: .sup.1H NMR (CDCl.sub.3); 7.39-7.45 (d, 2H), 6.78 (S, 2H), 6.66 (S, 2H), 6.50 (S, 2H), 6.43-6.48 (d, 2H), 6.30 (S, 4H), 5.92-6.00 (ABq, 4H), 5.33 (S,2H), 4.70 (br, 2H), 455-4.61 (d, 2H), 433-4.45 (t, 2H), 3.97-4.10(t,2H), 3.79 (S, 6H), 3.08-3.20 (dd, 2H), 2.90-3.08 (m, 2H); FAB MS: m/z 960 (M.sup.-); mp. 240-243.degree. C.

[0054] In conclusion, the main advantages of the present inventions are

[0055] 1. A new class of podophyllotoxin and 4'-O-demethylepipodophyllotox- in dimers have been synthesized as DNA-topoisomerase II inhibitors.

[0056] 2. These novel dimers have been synthesized in good yields and high stereoselective manner.

Claims

We claim:

1. Novel podophyllotoxin dimers having structural formula 1 3wherein R is II or CII.sub.3 and Z is an aryl or substituted aryl compound selected from the group consisting of phenylene, naphthalene, p-terphenyl, dimethoxy benzidine and diphenyl ether.

2. A process for preparing new podophyllotoxin dimers as claimed in claim 1, said process comprising (a) stirring a solution of aromatic diamine, a base and a phase transfer catalyst in a dry organic solvent at temperature in the range of 10 to 30.degree. C.; (b) adding slowly 4.beta. bromo podophyllotoxin to the above solution; (c) stirring the above reaction mixture continuously for a time period ranging between 6 to 12 hrs; (d) evaporating the solvent by known methods; and (e) dissolving the residue in a polar solvent followed by washing and separating the product by conventional methods.

3. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the aromatic diamine used are selected from the group consisting of 1,4 phenylene diamine, 1,5, diamino naphthalene, 4,4'-diamino -p-terphenyl, 3,3'-diamino dimethoxy benzidine, 4,4'-diamino diphenyl ether and 2,6 diamino fluorene.

4. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the organic solvent used is selected from the group consisting of dichloromethane, chloroform, benzene and tetrahydorfuran.

5. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein base used is selected from K.sub.2CO.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and Et.sub.3N.

6. A process as claimed in 2, wherein the phase transfer catalyst used is selected from Bu.sub.4N.sup.+Br.sup.- and Bu.sub.4N.sup.+T.

7. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reaction was maintained at -10.degree. C. to room temperature.

8. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the stirring was continued for 6 to 12 h.

9. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said column chromatography carried out using chloroform/methanol, ethylacetate/hexane and chloroform/acetone/ethylacetate systems as eluents.