A series of achiral hypoxia-activated prodrugs were synthesized on the basis of the DNA cross-linking toxin of the prodrug, ifosfamide. The hypoxia-selective cytotoxicity of several of the compounds was improved over previously reported racemic mixtures of chiral bioreductive phosphoramidate prodrugs. Prodrugs activated by 2-nitroimidazole reduction demonstrated up to 400-fold enhanced cytotoxicity toward H460 cells in culture under ...