Synthesis of new 2-acetyl and 2-benzoyl quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxide derivatives as anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis agents

A series of 2-acetyl and 2-benzoyl-6(7)-substituted quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antituberculosis activity. The results show that 2-acetyl-3-methylquinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxide derivatives with chlorine, methyl or methoxy group in position 7 of the benzene moiety (compounds 2, 4 and 6, respectively) and unsubstituted (3) have good antitubercular activity, exhibiting EC90/MIC values between 0.80 and 4.29. In conclusion, the potency, selectivity and low cytotoxicity of these compounds make them valid leads for synthesizing new compounds that possess better activity. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.