Synthesis and antitubercular activity of imidazo[2,1-b] thiazoles

A number of selected imidazo[2, 1-b]thiazoles entered the screening at the Tuberculosis Antimicrobial Acquisition and Coordinating Facility (TAACF) an d one of these compounds, 2-chloro-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole, showed a ntitubercular activity. On this basis we planned the synthesis of new analo gues bearing a substituted ring at the 6 position. For one compound only (2 -chloro-6-p-chlorophenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole) the 5-nitroso derivative wa s also prepared. The antitubercular activity of these compounds was compare d with the known analogues lacking the chlorine at the 2 position. 5-Nitros o-6-p-chlorophenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole showed potent antitubercular activ ity. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.