Synthesis and in vitro antifungal and cytotoxicity evaluation of substituted 4,5-dihydronaphtho[1,2-d][1,2,3]thia(or selena)diazoles.

Unsubstituted 4,5-dihydronaphtho[1,2-d][1,2,3]thia (or selena)diazoles (2a, 2b), prepared from the semicarbazone (1a), were nitrated using fuming nitric acid at 0 degrees C to yield various mono-nitrated dihydronaphthalenes (3a-3e). Related sulfamoyl derivatives (4a, 4b) were prepared using chlorosulfonic acid, followed by the addition of ammonia solution. Synthesis of 6,9-dimethoxy-4,5-dihydronaphtho[1,2-d][1,2,3]thiadiazole derivative (2c) was performed using 5,8-dimethoxy-alpha-tetralone semicarbazone (1b) and thionylchloride at low temperature. At 10 ppm concentration, all compounds showed low toxicity (higher than 80% survival) on brine shrimps, while at 100 ppm concentration compounds 2d, 3d, and 4b exhibited toxicity (less than 60% survival). Compounds 3a, 3e, and especially 4a showed significant antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans. Compound 4a, while being the most active antifungal agent in this series, possessed low toxicity.