Further studies on ethenyl and ethynyl-4-phenylamino-3-quinolinecarbonitriles: identification of a subnanomolar Src kinase inhibitor.

Several new ethynyl- and ethenyl-4-phenylamino-3-quinolinecarbonitriles were synthesized and tested for Src inhibition. Derivatives bearing an ethenyl or ethynyl substituent at C-6 showed decreased Src inhibitory activity. Incorporation of an ethenylpyridine N-oxide group at C-7 provided 20b, a 0.6 nM inhibitor of Src enzymatic activity with excellent cellular potency.