Synthesis and anti-mycobacterial activity of novel amino alcohol derivatives.

Thirteen new hydroxyethylamines have been synthesized from reactions of (2S,3S)Boc-phenylalanine epoxide, piperonylamine and arenesulfonyl chlorides in good yields. These compounds were evaluated as antibacterial agents against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using the Alamar Blue susceptibility test and their activity expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in μM. Two amino alcohols displayed significant activity when compared with first line drug ethambutol (EMB). Therefore this class of compounds could be a good starting point to develop new lead compounds in the treatment of tuberculosis.