A series of 2-(4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-2-{[4-(dimethylamino)-phenyl]imino}acetonitriles 19-27 have been synthesized by the reaction of 2-(4-amino-6-alkylamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)acetonitriles 10-15 with p-nitrosodimethylaniline. Unexpectedly, a similar reaction of acetonitriles 10, 14, 15, 17 and 18 with nitrosobenzene led to the formation of 4,6-diamino-N-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine-2-carboxamides 28-32. The in vitro antitumor activity of the compounds obtained has been tested and 2-[4-Amino-6-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]-2{[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]imino}acetonitrile (19) having remarkable activity against melanoma MALME-3 M cell line (GI(50)=3.3 x 10(-8) M, TGI=1.1 x 10(-6) M) is a leading candidate for further development.