Abstract

A simple method based on hydrolysis of 2,3-dicyanopyrazinium salts has been used for the synthesis of the corresponding 5-(hetero)aryl-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2(1H)-pyrazinones. Also, the series of novel 1-ethyl-5-(hetero)aryl-1,6-dihydropyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitriles have been obtained through reduction of the same pyrazinium salts with triethylsilane. The obtained compounds proved to be active in micromolar concentrations in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium terrae, as well as against rifampicin and isoniazid-resistance strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The data for acute in vivo toxicity in mice have been obtained for these compounds which appear to be promising antitubercular agents.

Keywords: Pyrazine, 2(1H)-Pyrazinone, antituberculosis activity, tuberculosis, mycobacterium avium, mycobacterium terrae.

Graphical Abstract