Synthesis and in vitro anti Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity of a series of phthalimide derivatives

New phthalimide derivatives were easily prepared through condensation of phthalic anhydride and selected amines with variable yields (70-90%). All compounds (3a-l) were evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv using Alamar Blue susceptibility. The compounds 3c, 3i, and 3l have the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 3.9, 7.8, and 5.0 mu/mL, respectively, and could be considered new lead compounds in the treatment of tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.