Colorimetrically using the MTT assay the cytotoxic activity of 5-aryl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydrobenz[4,5]imidazolo[1,2-a]quinazolines and a tautomeric mixture of 4-amino-2-phenyl-6H-pyrido[1,2-a] pyrimidin-3-carbonitrile with 2-(phenyl(pyridin-2-ylamino)methyl)- malononitrile was screened.