Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some novel 1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines bearing amino acid moiety.

A new series of [1,2,4]-triazole bearing amino acid derivatives 2a-d-9a-d were synthesized under green chemistry conditions via multicomponent reaction using lemon juice as an acidic catalyst. The obtained compounds were characterized by different spectral and elemental analyses. The obtained candidates showed promising antibacterial activity against some standard bacteria and multidrug resistant (MDR) clinical isolates. In contrast to the reference drugs cephalothin and chloramphenicol, the tested compounds showed substantial better MIC values towards the tested MDR strains. The most active compounds 3c, 8a and 9d against MDR bacteria were tested for MBC and MIC index, the results indicted the bacteriostatic activity of these compounds. The most active compounds 2c, 2d, 3c, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d showed a high selectivity index towards antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae and MRSA1 compared to mammalian cells, suggesting a good safety profile. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Introduction

Facing emerging bacterial infections has become more challenging worldwide due to the increasing number of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microbes.[1-7] This indicates the crucial need to develop new efficient anti-bacterial agents. Many factors contribute to mutations in microbial genomes leading to resistance to known antibiotics. For instance, it is broadly confirmed that the abuse of antibiotics can significantly increase the development of resistant-genotypes.[8-10] As the number of infectious diseases and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains continues to increase, researchers are prompted to develop novel anti-microbial molecules.[11]

From a medicinal chemistry prospective, creating new generation of therapeutic molecules with improved pharmacological properties and drug-tolerance profile, as well as fewer side effects, is an ultimate goal.[12] Hence, libraries with privileged heterocyclic scaffolds are frequently utilized in the development of new potent drugs.[13] For instance, hybrids from 1,2,4-triazole derived compounds usually hold a series of pharmacological properties such as anticancer,[14,15] antiviral,[16] antitubercular,[17,18] antifungal,[19] antileishmanial[20] and antibacterial[21] activities. However, only few reports about fused systems of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines were reported in literature with pronounced antibacterial activities.[22] In addition, coupling with simple amino acids, e.g., glycine and others, has been frequently attracted the interst of medicinal chemists due to its improving ability for the physicochemical and drug-likeness properties.[20,23] In addition, glycine and its derivatives appear to be promising safe antimicrobial agents.[24,25]

Being analogues of DNA purine bases, 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines can be regarded as plausible substrates for enzymatic biochemical processes.[26] In particular, derivatives of [1,2,4]triazolo-[4,3-a]pyrimidines have recently been reported as potential antibacterials.[27-30] It was reported that series of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines carboxamide derivatives attributed good narrow-spectrum antibacterial activity against E. faecium and possessed metabolic stability with low intrinsic clearance. Macromolecular synthesis assays revealed cell-wall biosynthesis as the target of these compounds.[22] It is worth mentioning that recently, several 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines were synthesized and screened for their antibacterial derivatives as DNA gyrase inhibitors. Some compounds possessed high activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with MIC values ranging from 0.25–2.0 μg mL−1. In addition they showed good toxicity profile against human kidney and red blood cell.[31]

Accordingly and as a continuation of our efforts to discover diverse chemotypes for potential antibacterial agents,[32] we aim at preparing new triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives coupled with amino acids. The synthetic process comprises green conditions, e.g., using lemon juice as green catalyst and aqueous medium as green solvent.

Results and discussion

Chemistry

In continuation of our research program on the utility of hetrocylic moieties to find out novel antibacterial agents,[20,31,32] we are going here to report an efficient and facile synthesis of some [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives starting from 2-(3-amino-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4(5H)-yl)propanoic acid derivatives 1a–d. The tree component reaction of compound 1a–d with aromatic aldehyde (4-chlorobenzaldehyde) and acetylacetone or ethyl acetoacetate in a one pot reaction under green conditions [lemon juice, water–ethanol (8 : 2)] afforded the corresponding 2-(1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)propanoic acid derivatives 2a–d and 3a–d respectively, in good to excellent yield, Scheme 1.

Scheme 1

Synthesis of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives.

It worth mentioning that some [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives synthesized through one-pot multicomponent reactions using a low viscous and acid-functionalized ionic liquid. The results showed that new ionic liquid can act as a green solvent and acid catalyst due to low viscosity and acid functionality.[33]

Structures of the newly obtained compounds were confirmed based upon their IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-MR, MS spectral data, and elemental analyses. The IR spectra of compound 2a exhibited the presence of broad band at 3455 cm−1 corresponding to two OH groups, another characteristic band at 1685 cm−1 corresponding to the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group. The 1H-NMR spectrum of compound 2a revealed the presence of a broad band at δ 12.24 ppm characterized to the OH of the carboxyl group, a singlet at δ 9.22 ppm corresponding to the phenolic OH group, another singlet at δ 8.12 ppm for NH group, a multiplet between δ 6.92–7.60 ppm attributed to the aromatic protons, a singlet at δ 5.24 ppm corresponding to CH (triazole), a singlet at δ 4.50 ppm for CH (pyrimidine), a quartet at 2.92 ppm corresponding to –COOH, a singlet at 2.33 ppm for δ CH3 group, a doublet at δ 2.23 ppm attributed to (CH3 alanine) and a singlet at δ 2.12 ppm characteristic for group. 13CMR spectrum of compound 2a showed the following signals: 9.88 (C̲H3–CH), 20.12 (CH3), 22.02 (C̲H3CO), 41.80 (C̲H–COOH), 53.12 (CHpyrimidine), 57.80 (CHtriazole), 118.12, 119.21, 122.20, 123.41, 124.50, 126.54, 127.32, 128.62, 134.55, 136.01, 138.12, 143.21 (ArC̲), 152.1 (CN), 178.10 (C=O), 192.54 (C=O).

Similarly, the reaction of compound 1b with cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds viz. meldrum's acid, barbituric acid, cyclohexane-1,3-dione and/or dimedone under the same experimental conditions [lemon juice, water–ethanol (8 : 2)] afforded the corresponding [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives 4–7 respectively, Scheme 2.

Scheme 2

Synthesis of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives.

On continuation of our work, 2-(3-amino-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4(5H)-yl)propanoic acid derivatives 1a–d were allowed to react with 4-chlorobenzaldehyde and malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate under the same experimental conditions, where the corresponding [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives 8a–d and 9a–d were obtained in excellent yields, Scheme 3.

Scheme 3

Synthesis of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives.

Finally, the reaction of compound 1a–d with α-cyanoketene-S,S-dithioacetal namely: 2-(bis(methylthio)methylene)malononitrile under green condition gave a product which was precipitated during the course of reaction and was identified as 2-(6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-5-(methylthio)-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid 10a–d, as shown in Scheme 4.

Scheme 4

Synthesis of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives.

The analytical and spectral data of all compounds were found to be accordance with the structures assigned to these compounds.

Antimicrobial screening

Antimicrobial inhibitory activity of synthesized compounds

The antimicrobial activity of the newly synthesized heterocyclic compounds was listed in Table 1 were tested applying agar diffusion method[34,35] against the following microorganisms: Gram-positive bacteria [S. aureus (ATCC 25923) and S. pyogenes (ATCC 19615)] and Gram-negative bacteria [P. phaseolicola (GSPB 2828) and P. fluorescens (S 97)] beside the yeast like fungi C. albicans. Compounds 2c, 2d, 3c, 3d, 8c, 8d, 9c and 9d were found to be active against Gram-positive bacteria, where compounds 2b, 3a, 3b, 5, 6, 7, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b are active against Gram-negative bacteria. The rest of the tested compounds showed weak to moderate sensitivity towards test bacteria. Moreover, none of the test compounds showed good activity against C. albicans compared to clotrimazole as reference standard, shown in Table 1.

In vitro antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds against standard bacteriaa

Comp. no.	Diameter of zone inhibition in mm
	Gram-positive bacteria				Gram-negative bacteria				Fungi
	S. aureus (ATCC 25923)		S. pyogenes (ATCC 19615)		P. phaseolicola (GSPB 2828)		P. fluorescens (S 97)		C. albicans
	10 μg mL−1	15 μg mL−1	10 μg mL−1	15 μg mL−1	10 μg mL−1	15 μg mL−1	10 μg mL−1	15 μg mL−1	10 μg mL−1	15 μg mL−1
2a	10	16	12	17	18	28	16	25	8	9
2b	12	17	10	18	16	32	15	29	6	8
2c	19	32	18	30	11	23	12	22	6	9
2d	20	33	20	32	12	22	14	21	9	12
3a	11	20	12	22	18	32	16	30	6	8
3b	12	25	14	24	19	33	18	30	10	12
3c	19	33	18	32	10	21	8	23	6	7
3d	18	30	17	31	11	23	10	19	9	10
4	10	24	8	22	7	18	12	25	9	12
5	14	26	11	25	17	30	15	28	7	9
6	15	25	10	24	18	29	19	33	7	8
7	15	23	12	20	19	33	18	32	10	11
8a	13	20	12	21	18	30	17	29	10	13
8b	12	22	16	26	19	34	18	32	8	10
8c	18	30	19	33	14	24	13	23	8	11
8d	16	29	17	31	14	24	12	22	6	7
9a	14	26	12	27	18	30	17	30	6	9
9b	15	26	16	25	19	31	16	28	6	8
9c	18	32	19	34	10	22	11	20	9	11
9d	20	35	19	32	10	18	12	23	7	8
Cephalothin	28		30		NT		NT
Chloramphenicol	NT		NT		25		30
Clotrimazole	NT		NT		NT		NT		36	44

Less active: 6–12 mm; moderately active: 13–19 mm; highly active: 20–30 mm; no inhibition or inhibition less than 5 mm; NT – not tested. Each result represents the average of triplicate readings. S. aureus (ATCC 25923) = Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923); S. pyogenes (ATCC 19615) = Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 19615); P. phaseolicola (GSPB 2828) = Pseudomonas phaseolicola (GSPB 2828); P. fluorescens (S 97) = Pseudomonas fluorescens (S 97); C. albicans = Candida albicans.

Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of active compounds against MDR bacteria

Compounds which exhibited encouraging inhibition zones were further screened for their inhibitory effect against MDR clinical isolates,[36,37]K. pneumoniae and methicillin resistant S. aureus. Results revealed that 3c and 9d attributed remarkable activity against methicillin resistant S. aureus. On the other hand, it appears that electron donating amino group in 8a played an important role to increase the activity against MDR K. pneumoniae as shown in Table 2.

In vitro antibacterial activities and minimum inhibitory concentration of the synthesized compounds against MDR clinical isolates

Comp. no.	K. pneumoniae		MRSA1
	Diameter of zone inhibition in mm (15 μg mL−1)	MIC (μg mL−1)	Diameter of zone inhibition in mm (15 μg mL−1)	MIC (μg mL−1)
2b	25	50	8	—
2c	8	—	26	25
2d	6	—	28	25
3a	24	50	10	—
3b	27	50	12	—
3c	9	—	24	12.5
3d	6	—	6	—
5	23	50	8	—
6	22	50	10	—
7	20	50	8	—
8a	28	12.5	6	—
8b	27	25	8	—
8c	12	—	28	50
8d	10	—	25	50
9a	27	25	5	—
9b	29	25	7	—
9c	13	—	27	25
9d	11	—	29	12.5
Cephalothin	—	—	—	—
Chloramphenicol	—	—	—	—

Determination of compounds 3c, 8a and 9d

Compounds 3c, 8a and 9d were tested for their minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and calculate MIC index (MBC/MIC) to check whether they are bactericidal (MIC index <4) or bacteriostatic (MIC index >4) against the growth bacteria.[38,39] Results revealed that test compounds have MIC index MIC index >4 and they have bacteriostatic effect, Table 3. It maybe speculated that these compounds revealed cell-wall biosynthesis as the target of their action according to published similar compounds.[22]

Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of compounds 3c, 8a and 9d

Comp. no.	CC50a	K. pneumoniae (μg mL−1)		MRSA1 (μg mL−1)
		MICa	MBC	MICa	MBC
3c	125	—	—	12.5	100
8a	125	12.5	100	—	—
9d	500	—	—	12.5	100

CC50 is the concentration at which 50% of the cells survive.

In vitro cytotoxicity assay

The cytotoxicity of the most active compounds 2c, 2d, 3c, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d was tested in a VERO cell line as reported earlier.[37,40] The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) values represent the concentration of compound required to kill 50% of the cells (Table 4). Table 4 indicates that the compounds have greater selectivity towards antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae and MRSA1 compared to mammalian cells, thus showing a good toxicity profile, Fig. 1.

CC50 values of the most active compounds against normal VERO cells and their selectivity index

Comp. no.	CC50a	K. pneumoniae (μg mL−1)		MRSA1 (μg mL−1)
		MICa	SIb	MICa	SIb
2c	250	—	—	25	10
2d	500	—	—	25	20
3c	250	—	—	12.5	20
8a	125	12.5	10	—	—
8b	125	25	5	—	—
9a	500	25	20	—	—
9b	250	25	10	—	—
9c	250	—	—	25	10
9d	500	—	—	12.5	40

CC50 is the concentration at which 50% of the cells survive and MIC is the minimum concentration that inhibits bacterial growth reported in μg ml−1.

SI is the selectivity index regarding antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae and MRSA1; SI = CC50/MIC.

Fig. 1

CC50 of the test compound (blue), their MIC against K. pneumoniae (red) and MRSA (green).

Methods

All melting points were determined on a Koffler melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. 1H-NMR and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker avance 400 MHz spectrometer using TMS as internal reference (chemical shifts in δ, ppm), and IR spectra were obtained on a Nicolet 710 FT-IR spectrometer (KBr, νmax in cm−1). Mass spectra were recorded on a GC-MSQP 1000EX Schimadzu at the Microanalytical laboratory, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Elemental analyses were recorded on Vario El Fab-Nr elemental analyzer (Cairo University).

General procedure for the synthesis of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives 2a–d and 3a–d

An equimolar mixture of 2-(3-amino-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4(5H)-yl)propanoic acid derivative 1a–d (0.001 mol), 4-chlorobenzaldehyde (0.14 g, 0.001 mol) and acetylacetone or ethyl acetoacetate (0.001 mol) was mixed in water (8 mL)–ethanol (2 mL) then was treated with 1 mL of fresh lemon juice. The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 4–6 h, then left to cool. The formed precipitates were collected by filtration, washed thoroughly with water and then recrystallized from ethanol to give the corresponding 2-(1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)propanoic acid derivatives 2a–d and 3a–d respectively.

2-(6-Acetyl-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)propanoic acid 2a

Yield (74%), pale yellow needles, mp: 126–128 °C, anal. data: (C23H23ClN4O4, 454.90), calc.: C, 60.67; H, 5.05; N, 12.31; Cl, 7.80. Found: C, 60.33; H, 4.88; N, 12.09; Cl, 7.54. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3452 (br, 2OH), 3188 (NH), 3040 (CHarom), 2956 (CHaliph), 1690 (CO), 1622 (COOasy), 1582 (COOsy), 810 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.48 (d, 3H, J = 7.20 Hz, CH3), 2.10 (s, 3H, ), 2.32 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.72 (q, 1H, J = 7.14 Hz, –COOH), 5.24 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 5.36 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.88–7.58 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 8.02 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.06 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 12.25 (br, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13CMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 17.06, 20.12, 22.02, 41.82, 57.80, 118.12, 119.21, 122.23, 123.46, 124.55, 126.57, 127.39, 128.60, 134.56, 136.08, 138.12, 143.20, 152.11, 178.16, 192.47. MS (m/z, I%): 453 (M+ − 1, 0.25%).

2-(6-Acetyl-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,7-dimethyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)propanoic acid 2b

Yield (74%), yellow crystals, mp: 187–189 °C, anal. data: (C24H25ClN4O4, 468.93), calc.: C, 61.53; H, 5.34; N, 11.96; Cl, 7.57. Found: C, 61.28; H, 5.12; N, 11.70; Cl, 5.41. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3468 (br, 2OH), 3175 (NH), 3055 (CHarom), 2940 (CHaliph), 1696 (CO), 1620 (COOasy), 1580 (COOsy), 815 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.48 (d, 3H, J = 7.20 Hz, CH3), 2.12 (s, 3H, ), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.32 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.76 (q, 1H, J = 7.14 Hz, –COOH), 5.35 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.90–7.59 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 8.01 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.05 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 12.23 (br, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13CMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 17.22, 20.50, 22.37, 28.43, 41.88, 54.10, 57.67, 117.21, 118.65, 122.11, 123.42, 124.67, 127.23, 128.25, 133.16, 134.29, 136.27, 138.19, 141.16, 151.20, 178.14, 191.89. MS (m/z, I%): 468 (M+ − 1, 0.30%).

2-(6-Acetyl-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 2c

Yield (70%), yellow brown crystals, mp: 212–214 °C, anal. data: (C31H28ClN5O4, 570.04), calc.: C, 65.26; H, 4.91; N, 12.88, Cl, 6.22. Found: C, 65.07; H, 4.76; N, 12.68; Cl, 6.08. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3460 (br, 2OH), 3212, 3175 (2NH), 3062 (CHarom), 2938 (CHaliph), 1690 (CO), 1621 (COOasy), 1583 (COOsy), 811 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.10 (s, 3H, ), 2.31 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.12 (d, 2H, J = 7.6 Hz, CH2), 3.76 (q, 1H, J = 7.14 Hz, –COOH), 5.23 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 5.38 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.76 (s, 1H, CHindole), 6.90–7.66 (m, 12H, 3ArH), 8.05 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.05 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 10.24 (s, 1H, NHindole), 12.23 (br, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13CMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 20.50, 22.36, 28.40, 36.44, 41.80, 54.12, 57.60, 107.88, 117.44, 118.59, 122.15, 122.20, 123.06, 123.42, 124.67, 125.44, 127.23, 128.25, 133.16, 134.29, 135.75, 136.27, 138.19, 141.16, 144.33, 151.20, 178.14, 191.89. MS (m/z, I%): 570 (M+ − 1, 0.2%).

2-(6-Acetyl-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,7-dimethyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 2d

Yield (72%), yellow needles, mp: 230–232 °C, anal. data: (C32H30ClN5O4, 584.06), calc.: C, 65.26; H, 4.91; N, 12.88; Cl, 6.08. Found: C, 65.07; H, 4.76; N, 12.68; Cl, 5.92. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3466 (br, 2OH), 3218, 3186 (2NH), 3055 (CHarom), 2942 (CHaliph), 1695 (CO), 1623 (COOasy), 1580 (COOsy), 817 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.11 (s, 3H, ), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.30 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.12 (d, 2H, J = 7.6 Hz, CH2), 3.76 (q, 1H, J = 7.14 Hz, –COOH), 5.36 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.75 (s, 1H, CHindole), 6.87–7.65 (m, 12H, 3ArH), 8.05 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.10 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 10.22 (s, 1H, NHindole, exchangeable by D2O), 12.20 (br, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13CMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 20.31, 22.01, 34.52, 41.06, 44.22, 53.58, 57.06, 110.57, 117.26, 118.43, 121.80, 122.36, 123.12, 123.85, 124.6, 127.11, 127.94, 128.48, 133.25, 134.37, 135.41, 136.50, 138.45, 138.94, 143.10, 151.22, 178.66, 192.73. MS (m/z, I%): 583 (M+ − 1, 0.35%).

2-(5-(4-Ahlorophenyl)-6-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)propanoic acid 3a

Yield (80%), pale yellow crystals, mp: 180–182 °C, anal. data: (C24H25ClN4O5, 484.92), calc.: C, 59.39; H, 5.15; N, 11.54; Cl, 7.32. Found: C, 59.22; H, 4.90; N, 11.28; Cl, 7.04. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3458 (br, 2OH), 3176 (NH), 3053 (CHarom), 2948 (CHaliph), 1698 (CO), 1620 (COOasy), 1583 (COOsy), 810 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.14 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH3), 1.48 (d, 3H, J = 7.20 Hz, CH3), 2.30 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.76 (q, 1H, J = 7.14 Hz, –COOH), 4.02 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH2), 5.24 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 5.36 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.94–7.52 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 8.02 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.12 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 12.24 (br, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13CMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 14.27, 18.25, 28.55, 44.10, 53.78, 57.88, 117.36, 118.47, 121.50, 122.30, 123.55, 124.19, 127.28, 128.72, 134.32, 136.55, 138.83, 143.01, 151.26, 178.06, 193.05.

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,7-dimethyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)propanoic acid 3b

Yield (78%), yellow crystals, mp: 196–198 °C, anal. data: (C25H27ClN4O5, 498.96), calc.: C, 60.12; H, 5.41; N, 11.23; Cl, 7.11. Found: C, 59.92; H, 5.23; N, 11.01; Cl, 7.05. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3450 (br, 2OH), 3180 (NH), 3058 (CHarom), 2940 (CHaliph), 1692 (CO), 1622 (COOasy), 1580 (COOsy), 811 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.14 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH3), 1.48 (d, 3H, J = 7.20 Hz, CH3), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.30 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.72 (q, 1H, J = 7.14 Hz, –COOH), 4.01 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH2), 5.38 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.90–7.50 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 8.01 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.10 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 12.20 (br, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13CMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 14.20, 18.23, 22.56, 28.50, 44.08, 53.75, 57.80, 117.30, 118.41, 121.52, 122.19, 123.55, 124.20, 127.25, 128.70, 134.33, 136.50, 138.81, 143.02, 151.25, 178.10, 193.18.

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 3c

Yield (75%), brownish powder, mp: 232–234 °C, anal. data: (C32H30ClN5O5, 600.06), calc.: C, 63.99; H, 4.99; N, 11.66; Cl, 5.91. Found: C, 63.75; H, 4.78; N, 11.40; Cl, 5.72. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3458 (br, 2OH), 3232, 3185 (2NH), 3066 (CHarom), 2954 (CHaliph), 1690 (CO), 1621 (COOasy), 1583 (COOsy), 817 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.12 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH3), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.12 (s, 2H, CH2), 3.71 (q, 1H, J = 7.14 Hz, –COOH), 4.03 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH2), 5.23 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 5.38 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.90–7.64 (m, 12H, 2ArH), 8.05 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.10 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 10.18 (s, 1H, CHindole, exchangeable by D2O), 12.23 (br, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13CMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 14.21, 28.46, 36.48, 41.81, 53.12, 57.66, 107.86, 117.40, 118.62, 121.67, 122.15, 122.24, 123.02, 123.40, 124.61, 125.41, 127.25, 128.20, 133.32, 134.25, 135.70, 136.21, 138.22, 141.18, 144.30, 151.12, 178.25, 191.80.

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,7-dimethyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 3d

Yield (75%), brown sheets, mp: 251–253 °C, anal. data: (C33H32ClN5O5, 614.09), calc.: C, 64.48; H, 5.21; N, 11.39; Cl, 5.78. Found: C, 64.22; H, 4.98; N, 11.20; Cl, 5.62. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3451 (br, 2OH), 3230, 3182 (2NH), 3061 (CHarom), 2950 (CHaliph), 1698 (CO), 1622 (COOasy), 1581 (COOsy), 811 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.10 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH3), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.32 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.11 (s, 2H, CH2), 3.73 (q, 1H, J = 7.14 Hz, –COOH), 4.02 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH2), 5.38 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.93–7.65 (m, 12H, 2ArH), 8.03 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.12 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 10.23 (s, 1H, CHindole, exchangeable by D2O), 12.25 (br, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13CMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 14.21, 22.58, 28.46, 36.48, 41.81, 53.12, 57.66, 107.86, 117.40, 118.62, 121.64, 122.15, 122.24, 123.02, 123.40, 124.61, 125.41, 127.25, 128.20, 133.32, 134.25, 135.70, 136.21, 138.22, 141.18, 144.30, 151.12, 178.25, 191.80.

Reaction of compounds 1a–d with cyclic-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds: synthesis of 2-([1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(2H,5H,6H)-yl)propanoic acid derivatives 4–7

General procedures

A mixture of 2-(3-amino-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4(5H)-yl)propanoic acid derivative 1a–d (0.001 mol), 4-chlorobenzaldehyde (0.14 g, 0.001 mol) and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds (0.001 mol) vis. meldrum's acid, barbituric acid, cyclohexane-1,3-dione and/or dimedone under the same experimental conditions [lemon juice, water–ethanol (8 : 2)] was mixed in water (8 mL)–ethanol (2 mL) then was treated with 1 mL of fresh lemon juice. The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 5–8 h, then left to cool. The formed precipitates were collected by filtration, washed thoroughly with water and then recrystallized from ethanol to give the corresponding 4–7 derivatives.

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,8,8-trimethyl-6-oxo-1H-[1,3]dioxino[5,4-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(2H,5H,6H)-yl)propanoic acid 4

Yield (57%), brown crystals, mp 208–210 °C, anal. calcd for (C25H25ClN4O6, 512.94): C, 58.54; H, 4.91; N, 10.92; Cl, 4.91. Found: C, 58.24; H, 5.12; N, 10.97; Cl, 6.98. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3392 (2OH), 3199 (NH), 3067 (CHaromatic), 2978 (CHaliphatic), 1675 (COmeldurium), 1616 (COOasy), 1590 (COOsy), 816 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.22 (d, 3H, CH3), 2.32 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.63 (s, 3H, C–CH3), 2.65 (s, 3H, C–CH3), 3.07 (m, 1H, –COOH), 5.53 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.53–8.25 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 10.66 (s, 2H, 2OH, exchangeable by D2O), 11.50 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 14.51 (CH3), 15.57 (CH3), 18.87 (CH3), 24.61 (CH3), 46.23 (CH–COOH), 50.11 (CHpyrimidine), 56.54 (Ctriazole), 104.90, 117.38, 119.08, 120.60, 129.36, 131.32, 133.63, 135.17, 141.38, 142.89, 149.31 (m, 2ArC), 153.61 (CN), 157.74 (C–Cl), 167.95 (C–OH), 178.57 (CO), 181.09 (CO).

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methyl-6,8-dioxo-1,2,6,7,8,9-hexahydropyrimido[5,4-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(5H)-yl)propanoic acid 5

Yield (62%), yellow crystals, mp 218–220 °C, anal. calcd for (C23H21ClN6O5, 496.91): C, 55.59; H, 4.26; Cl, 7.13; N, 16.91. Found: C, 55.70; H, 4.10; Cl, 7.33; N, 16.75. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3396 (2OH), 3294 (NH), 3238 (NHbarbaturic), 3206 (NHbarbaturic), 3024 (CHaromatic), 2996 (C–Haliphatic), 1707 (CObarbaturic), 1643 (CObarbaturic), 1621 (COOasy), 1591 (COOsy), 753 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.23 (d, 3H, CH3), 2.33 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.02 (m, 1H, –COOH), 5.87 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.86 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 6.98–7.77 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 7.35 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 10.76 (s, 1H, NHbarbaturic, exchangeable by D2O), 12.10 (s, 1H, NHbarbaturic, exchangeable by D2O), 12.32 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O).

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methyl-6-oxo-1,2,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]quinazolin-3(5H)-yl)propanoic acid 6

Yield (54%), yellow crystals, mp 273–275 °C, anal. calcd for (C25H25ClN4O4, 480.94): C, 62.43; H, 5.24; Cl, 7.37; N, 11.65. Found: C, 62.11; H, 5.44; Cl, 7.25; N, 16.87. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3414 (2OH), 3148 (NH), 3048 (CHaromatic), 2926 (CHaliphatic), 1663 (COcyclohexanedione), 1605 (COOasy), 1592 (COOsy), 750 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.95 (m, 2H, CH2(a)), 2.28 (t, 2H, CH2(b)), 2.34 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.53 (d, 3H, CH3), 2.64 (t, 2H, CH2(c)), 3.12 (m, 1H, –COOH), 5.58 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.97–7.93 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 11.92 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 12.48 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 13.17 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 15.38 (CH3), 20.31 (CH2), 21.26 (CH3), 26.94 (CH2), 31.12 (CH–COOH), 36.86 (CH2), 48.61 (CHpyrimidine), 62.46 (Ctriazole), 115.61, 117.69, 118.02, 119.92, 128.31, 129.52, 130.34, 133.12, 136.65, 144.00, 149.91 (m, 2ArC), 160.33 (CN), 165.36 (C–Cl), 168.33 (C–OH), 171.32 (CO), 196.64 (CO).

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,8,8-trimethyl-6-oxo-1,2,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]quinazolin-3(5H)-yl)propanoic acid 7

Yield (58%), pale yellow crystals, mp 257–259 °C, anal. calcd for (C27H29ClN4O4, 509): C, 63.71; H, 5.74; Cl, 6.97; N, 11.01. Found: C, 63.55; H, 5.91; Cl, 6.95; N, 11.11. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3316 (2OH), 3177 (NH), 3038 (CHaromatic), 2956 (CHaliphatic), 1705 (COdimedone), 1627 (COOasy), 1598 (COOsy), 751 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 0.91–1.07 (m, 6H, 2CH3), 2.11 (s, 2H, CH2), 2.38 (d, 3H, CH3), 2.47 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.66 (s, 2H, CH2), 3.47 (m, 1H, –COOH), 5.61 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.95–7.93 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 11.93 (s, 1H, OH exchangeable by D2O), 12.86 (s, 2H, NH, OH exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 15.36 (CH3), 18.92 (CH3), 27.03 (CH2), 28.19 (CH3), 29.44 (CH3), 32.24 (CH2), 47.55 (–COOH), 50.75 (CHpyrimidine), 53.69 (C̲–(CH3)2), 56.53 (Ctriazole), 117.68, 119.48, 119.93, 128.24, 130.04, 131.79, 133.12, 136.66, 149.97 (m, 2ArC), 159.98 (CN), 163.54 (C–Cl), 168.30 (C–OH), 181.36 (CO), 196.47 (CO).

Synthesis of 2-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid derivatives 8a–d and 9a–d

An equimolar mixture of 2-(3-amino-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4(5H)-yl)propanoic acid derivative 1a–d (0.001 mol), 4-chlorobenzaldehyde (0.14 g, 0.001 mol) and malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate (0.001 mol) was mixed in water (8 mL)-ethanol (2 mL) then was treated with 1 mL of fresh lemon juice. The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 3–6 h, then left to cool. The formed precipitates were collected by filtration, washed thoroughly with water and then recrystallized from ethanol to give the corresponding 2-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid derivatives 8a–d and 9a–d respectively.

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid 8a

Yield (54%), pale brown crystals, mp 170–172 °C, anal. calcd for (C21H17ClN6O3, 436.85): C, 57.74; H, 3.92; Cl, 8.12; N, 19.24. Found: C, 57.20; H, 4.42; Cl, 8.03; N, 19.34. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3442 (OH), 3318 (NHpyrimidine), 3175 (NH), 3032 (CHaromatic), 2990 (CHaliphatic), 2222 (CN), 1617 (COOasy), 1539 (COOsy), 752 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.59 (d, 3H, CH3), 3.48 (q, 1H, –COOH), 4.44 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 5.36 (s, 1H, CHpyrimidine), 6.75 (s, 2H, NH2, exchangeable by D2O), 6.89–7.92 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 8.05 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 8.40 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 10.02 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 19.91 (CH3), 44.55 (–COOH), 53.53 (CHtriazole), 80.99 (C̲–CN), 111.44 (CN), 116.86, 119.00, 120.84, 121.87, 127.20, 129.14, 131.46, 131.94, 133.98, (m, ArC), 140.81 (CN), 157.92 (C–Cl), 167.14 (C–OH), 177.96 (CNH), 178.20 (CO).

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-2-methyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid 8b

Yield (46%), orange crystals, mp 102–104 °C, anal. calcd for (C22H19ClN6O3, 450.88): C, 58.60; H, 4.25; Cl, 7.86; N, 18.64. Found: C, 58.20; H, 4.72; Cl, 7.73; N, 18.61. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3409 (2OH), 3290 (NHpyrimidine), 3148 (NH), 3032 (CHaromatic), 2956 (CHaliphatic), 2227 (CN), 1618 (COOasy), 1589 (COOsy), 766 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.54 (d, 3H, CH3), 2.65 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.35 (q, 1H, –COOH), 6.86 (s, 2H, NH2, exchangeable by D2O), 6.95–8.24 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 8.08 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 11.49 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 11.98 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 20.61 (CH3), 28.03 (CH3), 46.48 (–COOH), 63.12 (Ctriazole), 78.17 (C–CN), 118.02 (CN), 119.63, 127.76, 129.16, 129.41, 130.48, 131.19, 131.89, 133.67, 134.69, (m, ArC), 136.74 (CN), 141.30 (C–Cl), 159.45 (C–OH), 161.28 (CNH), 178.5 (CO). MS (m/z, I%): 452 (M + 2, 0.15%); 450 (0.05), 405 (0.27), 375 (0.22), 363 (0.53), 347 (0.42), 317 (0.89), 259 (4.13), 189 (6.36), 113 (24.84), 87 (19.42), 59 (100).

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 8c

Yield (67%), yellow crystals, mp 118–120 °C, anal. calcd for (C29H22ClN7O3, 551.98): C, 63.04; H, 3.98; Cl, 6.43; N, 17.75. Found: C, 62.91; H, 3.72; Cl, 6.42; N, 17.41. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3430 (OH), 3400 (OH), 3312 (NHpyrimidine), 3230 (NH), 3162 (NHindole), 3065 (CHaromatic), 2958 (CHaliphatic), 2201 (CN), 1621 (COOasy), 1578 (COOsy), 765 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 3.12 (t, 1H, –COOH), 3.35, 3.58 (dd, 2H, CH2), 5.25 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 6.72 (s, 2H, NH2, exchangeable by D2O), 6.80–8.12 (m, 13H, 3ArH), 8.40 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 10.22 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 10.48 (s, 1H, NHpyrimidine, exchangeable by D2O), 12.80 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 34.81 (CH2), 53.87 (–COOH), 66.75 (CHtriazole), 77.55 (C–CN), 107.77 (CN), 117.30 (CHindole), 119.32, 119.50, 119.84, 121.60, 123.60, 123.96, 124.84, 128.31, 128.95, 129.12, 129.43, 130.05, 131.38, 131.50, 133.71 (ArC), 141.20 (CN), 153.76 (C–NH), 157.18 (C–Cl), 165.89 (C–OH), 168.50 (CNH), 175.45 (CO).

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-2-methyl-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 8d

Yield (67%), yellow crystals, mp 130 °C, anal. calcd for (C30H24ClN7O3, 566.01): C, 63.66; H, 4.27; Cl, 6.26; N, 17.32. Found: C, 63.01; H, 4.42; Cl, 6.59; N, 17.41. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3431 (OH), 3408 (OH), 3310 (NHpyrimidine), 3238 (NH), 3166 (NHindole), 3080 (CHaromatic), 2975 (CHaliphatic), 2189 (CN), 1616 (COOasy), 1579 (COOsy), 765 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.33 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.10 (t, 1H, –COOH), 3.35, 3.58 (dd, 2H, CH2), 6.76 (s, 2H, NH2, exchangeable by D2O), 6.84–8.15 (m, 13H, 3ArH), 8.41 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 10.20 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 10.54 (s, 1H, NHpyrimidine, exchangeable by D2O), 12.86 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 20.68 (CH3), 34.80 (CH2), 53.84 (–COOH), 66.76 (CHtriazole), 77.52 (C–CN), 114.70 (CN), 117.32 (CHindole), 119.28, 119.54, 119.81, 121.63, 123.63, 123.96, 124.86, 128.30, 128.96, 129.10, 129.23, 130.03, 131.32, 131.55, 133.73 (m, ArC), 141.20 (CN), 153.74 (C–NH), 157.11 (C–Cl), 165.14 (C–OH), 168.32 (CNH), 175.65 (CO). MS (m/z, I%): 568 (M + 2, 0.13), 566 (0.51), 553 (0.44), 405 (0.38), 370 (0.48), 326 (0.43), 298 (0.25), 204.20 (1.86), 194 (0.61), 158.20 (5.11), 130.15 (100), 103.10 (9.99), 77.05 (13.13).

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-oxo-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid 9a

Yield (52%), pale yellow crystals, mp 158–160 °C, anal. calcd for (C21H16ClN5O4, 437.93): C, 57.55; H, 3.65; Cl, 8.10; N, 15.98. Found: C, 57.28; H, 3.42; Cl, 8.00; N, 18.64. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3442 (OH), 3170 (NH), 3040 (CHaromatic), 2956 (CHaliphatic), 2201 (CN), 1676 (CO), 1622 (COOasy), 1548 (COOsy), 750 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.57 (d, 3H, CH3), 3.52 (q, 1H, –COOH), 5.23 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 6.94–7.59 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 8.03 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 10.02 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 12.22 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 19.91 (CH3), 44.55 (–COOH), 53.53 (CHtriazole), 107.44 (CN), 116.86, 119.00, 120.84, 121.87, 123.56, 127.20, 129.14, 131.46, 131.94, 133.98, (m, ArC), 140.81 (CN), 157.92 (C–Cl), 167.14 (C–OH), 177.96 (CNH), 178.20 (CO).

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methyl-7-oxo-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid 9b

Yield (64%), yellow crystals, mp 170–172 °C, anal. calcd for (C22H18ClN5O4, 451.86): C, 58.42; H, 3.98; Cl, 7.85; N, 15.49. Found: C, 58.25; H, 3.76; Cl, 7.68; N, 15.30. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3450 (OH), 3182 (NH), 3056 (CHaromatic), 2949 (CHaliphatic), 2218 (CN), 1675 (CO), 1620 (COOasy), 1553 (COOsy), 757 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 1.54 (d, 3H, CH3), 2.23 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.54 (q, 1H, –COOH), 5.21 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 6.92–7.56 (m, 8H, 2ArH), 8.02 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.24 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 12.18 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 19.87 (CH3), 18.12, 44.23 (–COOH), 80.65 (Ctriazole), 107.44 (CN), 116.86, 119.00, 120.84, 121.87, 123.56, 127.20, 129.14, 131.46, 131.94, 133.98, (m, ArC), 140.81 (CN), 153.96 (CNH), 157.92 (C–Cl), 167.14 (C–OH), 178.15 (CO).

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-oxo-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 9c

Yield (75%), yellow needles, mp 188–190 °C, anal. calcd for (C29H21ClN6O4, 552.97): C, 62.93; H, 3.79; Cl, 6.41; N, 15.97. Found: C, 62.71; H, 3.52; Cl, 6.41; N, 15.01. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3430 (OH), 3405 (OH), 3230 (NH), 3176 (NHindole), 3060 (CHaromatic), 2952 (CHaliphatic), 2206 (CN), 1623 (COOasy), 1578 (COOsy), 765 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 3.12 (t, 1H, –COOH), 3.56 (d, 2H, CH2), 5.25 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 6.74 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 6.80–8.12 (m, 13H, 3ArH), 8.40 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 10.25 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 12.23 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 34.80, 53.83, 66.75, 107.77, 117.30, 119.32, 119.84, 121.60, 123.60, 123.96, 124.84, 128.31, 128.95, 129.12, 129.43, 130.05, 131.38, 131.50, 133.71, 141.20, 153.76, 157.16, 165.81, 168.33, 178.41.

2-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methyl-7-oxo-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 9d

Yield (72%), brown needles, mp 202–205 °C, anal. calcd for (C30H23ClN6O4, 566.99): C, 63.49; H, 4.05; Cl, 6.26; N, 14.81. Found: C, 63.33; H, 3.92; Cl, 6.01; N, 14.55. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3436 (2OH), 3236 (NH), 3180 (NHindole), 3059 (CHaromatic), 2948 (CHaliphatic), 2212 (CN), 1625 (COOasy), 1575 (COOsy), 771 (C–Cl). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.23 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.13 (t, 1H, –COOH), 3.58 (d, 2H, CH2), 6.75 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 6.83–8.12 (m, 13H, 3ArH), 8.38 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 10.23 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 12.25 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 24.13, 34.80, 53.83, 66.75, 107.76, 117.30, 119.30, 119.97, 121.60, 123.54, 123.96, 124.84, 128.31, 128.90, 129.13, 129.45, 130.05, 131.38, 131.50, 133.72, 141.25, 153.16, 157.12, 165.07, 168.27, 178.48.

Reaction of compound 1a–d with 2-(bis(methylthio)methylene)malononitrile

An equimolar mixture of 2-(3-amino-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4(5H)-yl)propanoic acid derivative 1a–d (0.001 mol) and 2-(bis(methylthio)methylene)malononitrile (0.17 g, 0.001 mol) was mixed in water (8 mL)–ethanol (2 mL) then was treated with 1 mL of fresh lemon juice. The reaction mixture was heated under reflux until evolution of methyl mercaptan was ceased (lead acetate, 10–12 h), then left to cool. The formed precipitates were collected by filtration, washed thoroughly with water and then recrystallized from ethanol to give the corresponding 2-(6-cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-5-(methylthio)-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid derivatives 10a–d respectively.

2-(6-Cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-5-(methylthio)-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid 10a

Yield (55%), yellow crystals, mp 186 °C, anal. calcd for (C16H16N6O3S, 372.40): C, 51.55; H, 4.29; N, 22.55; S, 8.59. Found: C, 51.28; H, 4.08; N, 22.32; S, 8.40%. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3412 (OH), 3265 (NHpyrimidine), 3142 (NH), 3054 (CHaromatic), 2945 (CHaliphatic), 2112 (CN), 1625 (COOasy), 1581 (COOsy). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.23 (d, 3H, CH3), 2.58 (s, 3H, S–CH3), 3.45 (q, 1H, –COOH), 5.25 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 6.78 (s, 1H, NH exchangeable by D2O), 7.34–7.56 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.96 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 8.04 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 12.22 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 15.35, 18.90, 46.76, 57.70, 66.95, 117.45, 119.11, 119.43, 128.25, 128.76, 130.13, 130.99, 131.48, 152.55, 157.02, 168.43, 181.05.

2-(6-Cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-2-methyl-5-(methylthio)-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)propanoic acid 10b

Yield (53%), orange crystals, mp 186 °C, anal. calcd for (C17H18N6O3S, 386.43): C, 52.84; H, 4.70; N, 21.75; S, 8.30. Found: C, 52.38; H, 4.90; N, 21.81; S, 8.42%. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3403 (OH), 3284 (NHpyrimidine), 3137 (NH), 3048 (CHaromatic), 2953 (CHaliphatic), 2108 (CN), 1605 (COOasy), 1587 (COOsy). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.23 (d, 3H, CH3), 2.33 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.53 (s, 3H, S–CH3), 3.47 (m, 1H, –COOH), 6.84 (s, 1H, NH exchangeable by D2O), 7.32–7.54 (m, 4H, ArH), 7.88 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 8.06 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 12.23 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O). 13C NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 15.38, 18.96, 24.53, 46.80, 57.72, 66.99, 117.40, 119.08, 119.47, 128.33, 128.95, 130.04, 130.98, 131.48, 152.93, 157.72, 168.29, 180.98.

2-(6-Cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-5-(methylthio)-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 10c

Yield (65%), brown needles, mp 226–228 °C, anal. calcd for (C24H21N7O3S, 487.53): C, 59.07; H, 4.30; N, 20.10; S, 6.65. Found: C, 58.86; H, 4.08; N, 19.87; S, 6.43. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3415 (2OH), 3284 (NHpyrimidine), 3189, 3137 (2NH), 3056 (CHaromatic), 2953 (CHaliphatic), 2112 (CN), 1625 (COOasy), 1587 (COOsy). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.53 (s, 3H, S–CH3), 3.47 (m, 1H, –COOH), 3.57 (d, 3H, CH2), 5.25 (s, 1H, CHtriazole), 6.85 (s, 1H, NH exchangeable by D2O), 7.32–7.54 (m, 8H, ArH), 8.04 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.23 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 12.21 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O).

2-(6-Cyano-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-7-imino-2-methyl-5-(methylthio)-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3(7H)-yl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid 10d

Yield (65%), orange crystals, mp 235–237 °C, anal. calcd for (C25H23N7O3S, 501.56): C, 59.81; H, 4.58; N, 19.53; S, 6.38. Found: C, 58.56; H, 4.33; N, 19.26; S, 5.35. IR (νmax, cm−1): 3412 (2OH), 3280 (NHpyrimidine), 3188, 3141 (2NH), 3059 (CHaromatic), 2956 (CHaliphatic), 2111 (CN), 1623 (COOasy), 1588 (COOsy). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6), δ ppm: 2.58 (s, 3H, S–CH3), 3.48 (m, 1H, –COOH), 3.56 (d, 3H, CH2), 6.81 (s, 1H, NH exchangeable by D2O), 7.30–7.62 (m, 8H, ArH), 8.05 (s, 1H, NH, exchangeable by D2O), 9.20 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O), 12.24 (s, 1H, OH, exchangeable by D2O).

Agar diffusion method

The newly synthesized heterocyclic compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) and Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas phaseolicola and Pseudomonas fluorescens) for yeast-like fungi C. albicans. For all bacteria (nutrient medium), consisting of (g L−1 distilled water): peptone, 5 and meat extract, 3. pH was adjusted to 7.0. For solid media, 2% agar was added. All media were sterilized at 121 °C for 20 min.

The antimicrobial screening was performed according to the procedure of “Agar Diffusion Method”.[35,37] One mg of each of the newly synthesized compounds was dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO, 1 mL) then made up to 10 mL with sterile water to give a concentration of 100 μg mL−1. A solution of the tested compounds was placed separately in the agar medium. The inhibition zones were measured after 24 h incubation.

A mixture of 80 μl of sterile Müeller–Hinton broth; 20 μl tween 80 and 100 μl of each test compound were serially diluted using two fold dilution in 96-well microtiter plate. Each well was inoculated with 100 μl of 0.5 McFarland standard bacterial suspensions equivalent to 1.5 × 106 CFU mL−1. The plates were covered and incubated at 35 ± 2 °C for 24 h. MIC was the lowest concentration of each compound that inhibited the growth of the bacteria under test.[36,37]

Determination of minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and MIC index of compounds 3c, 8a and 9d

The most active compound against MRSA (3c & 9d) and against K. pneumoniae were subjected to MC test. The highest dilution of each compound not exhibiting bacterial growth was taken as the MIC. After estimation of the MICs, 20 μl aliquots from each well were plated onto Müeller–Hinton agar plates and incubated at 35 ± 2 °C for 18 h[38] The lowest dilution not exhibiting bacterial growth was recorded as the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC).

MIC index (MBC/MIC) was calculated for the antibacterial agent to determine whether the agent was bactericidal (MBC/MIC < 4) or bacteriostatic (MBC/MIC > 4) against the growth of the tested bacteria. The range of MIC index values greater than 4 and less than 32 were considered to be bacteriostatic.[39]

In vitro cytotoxicity assessment: MTT assay

The cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested in the Vero (African Green Monkey-kidney cells) cell line using the Mosmann method, with certain modifications, as described in the literature.[37,40] African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells were purchased from American type culture collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA). All media, serum and other reagents were obtained from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO, USA). Vero cells was maintained in minimum essential medium (MEM) (Eagle) with non-essential amino acids, with 10% fetal bovine serum in a humidified atmosphere at 37 °C with 5% CO2. The cell line was maintained in their growing phase at 70% confluency with regular passaging. The prepared compounds were tested for its cytotoxicity by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Vero cells were seeded in their respective culture medium (200 μl, 1 × 104 cells per well) in a 96-well plate and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h with 5% CO2 supply. After incubation, the control wells were replenished with fresh medium and the test wells were treated with 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 μg mL−1 of synthesized compounds. The cells were further incubated for 72 h maintaining the same conditions. After the treatment incubation period, medium in each well was replenished with 200 μl of fresh medium plus 20 μl of MTT (0.5 mg mL−1). The plate was then incubated for 4 h in the same conditions after which the absorbance was measured at 570 nm using ELISA reader. Measurements were performed and the concentration required for a 50% inhibition of viability (IC50) was determined graphically Standard Graph was plotted by taking concentration of the drug in X axis and relative cell viability in Y axis.Cell viability (%) = mean optical density/control optical density × 100%

Conclusion

A new series of [1,2,4]-triazole derivatives were obtained under green reaction conditions. The obtained candidates showed promising antibacterial screening namely, 2b–d, 3a–d, 5, 6, 7, 8a–d and 9a–d. They were further subjected to a screening against MRD (multi drug resistant) clinical isolates and showed promising antibacterial activity. The most active compounds 2c, 2d, 3c, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d showed a high selectivity index towards antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae and MRSA1 compared to mammalian cells, revealed a good safety profile. Moreover, in contrast to the reference drugs cephalothin and chloramphenicol, compounds 3c, 8a and 9d exhibited significant better MIC values towards the tested MDR strains. The MIC index of these compound suggesting bacteriostatic mechanism of action.

Conflicts of interest

The authors confirm that the content of this article contains no conflict of interest.