Synthesis and biological evaluation of indole containing derivatives of thiosemicarbazide and their cyclic 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazole analogs.

New indolic derivatives of thiosemicarbazides and some cyclic 1,2,4-triazol-5-thione analogs were synthesized. The newly synthesized compounds as well as some indole containing thiosemicarbazides, 1,2,4-triazoles and 1,3,4- thiadiazoles, which have been reported previously, were investigated for antimicrobial, antifungal and antiphage activity. Certain thiosemicarbazide derivatives and the corresponding cyclic 1,2,4-triazole analogs showed selective antimicrobial or antifungal activity, while they lack any antiphage activity. Antiphage activity was detected for one compound, bearing the 1,3,4-thiadiazole nucleus. The selectively active compounds cover a wide range of lipophilicity. Structure-activity relations show a remarkably similarity in the antimicrobial and antifungal behaviour of the thiosemicarbazides and their cyclic triazo-thien-5-yl analogs, while alpha-naphtyl substitution in the non indolic portion of the molecule is favorable. C5 substitution on the indolic nucleus may also be critical for selective activity.