New pyridine derivatives as potential antimicrobial agents

A set of pyridine derivatives bearing a substituted alkylthio chain or a pi peridyl ring in position 2 or 4 were synthesized, and their antimycobacteri al and antifugal activities were evaluated. Chemical structures were confir med by IR and NMR data, and by elemental analysis. Minimum inhibitory conce ntrations (MIC) were used for the evaluation of microbiological activity in vitro. The compounds were moderately active against both Mycobacterium tub erculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria. The most active compound was 2-c yanomethylthiopyridine-4-carbonitrile (7) with MTC against Mycobacterium ka nsasii in the range of 8-4 mu mol/l. The antifungal activities of the compo unds were relatively low. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserve d.