Compounds having antitumor and antibacterial properties

Abstract

The novel class of xanthenone-4-acetic acids represented by the general formula (I) ##STR1## where R.sub.1 represents up to two of the groups lower alkyl, halogen, CF.sub.3, CN, NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 COOH, OR.sub.2, OH, NHCOR.sub.2, NHSO.sub.2 R.sub.2, SR.sub.2, SO.sub.2 R.sub.2, CH.sub.2 CONHR.sub.2 or NHR.sub.2 (where R.sub.2 is lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxy, amino or methoxy functions), at any of the positions 1-8 which are available, R.sub.1 may also represent the substitution of an aza (--N.dbd.) group for one or two of the methine (--CH.dbd.) groups in the carbocyclic rings and two of R.sub.1 on any two available adjacent positions may also represent the grouping --CH.dbd.CH--CH.dbd.CH-- to form an additional fused benzene ring; and basic addition salts thereof, possess antitumour and antibacterial properties.