Synthesis of some new 2-substituted-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carbonitriles and their potent activity against Candida species

New 2-substituted-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acids (35, 38), ethyl-5-carboxylate (36), -5-carboxamides (37, 39),-5-carboxaldeliyde (42), -5-chloro (40), -5-trifluoromethyl (41), and -5-carbonitriles (44-53, 55-67), -6-carbonitrilc (54) were prepared and evaluated in vitro against Candida species. The cyano substituted compounds 53, 57, 58 and 61 exhibited the greatest activity with MIC values of 3.12 mug/mL, values similar to that of fluconazole. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.