Synthesis of fluoro-rich pyrimidine-5-carbonitriles as antitubercular agents against H37Rv receptor

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to prepare various derivatives of 4-amino-2-(3-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-6-arylpyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (6a–6h) using a three-step procedure. The derivatives were screened in vitro for activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv. The activity was expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in μg/mL (μM). Eight compounds showed activity against Mtb H37Rv, and among them, 6f showed the best value of MIC, IC50 (53 μM) and IC90 (62 μM). Minimum bactericidal concentration of compound 6f was higher than its MIC and was more time-dependent than the concentration. Compound 6f was more active against M. tuberculosis H37Rv under low oxygen than metronidazole and did not show good potency in different treatments and non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Furthermore, a molecular docking study against mycobacterial enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA) could provide valuable insights into the plausible mechanism of action, which could set the theme for lead optimization.