Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of novel 6-ferrocenyl-4-aryl-2-substituted pyrimidine derivatives

A new series of 6-ferrocenyl-4-aryl-2-substituted pyrimidines were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antiamoebic activity against HM1:IMSS strain of Entamoeba histolytica. Out of 16 compounds 10 compounds have shown IC50 values in the range of 0.41–1.73 μM and 1.80 μM. Pyrimidine derivatives having thiomethyl group, chloro group and mono-, di-, and trimethoxy substitution, exhibited higher antiamoebic activity than the reference drug metronidazole (IC50 = 1.80 μM). The toxicological studies of these compounds on human kidney epithelial cell line showed that all compounds were non-toxic. 4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-6-ferrocenyl-2-piperidin-1-yl-pyrimidine (4f) was found most active (IC50 = 0.41 μM) and least toxic among all the compounds.

Graphical abstractA series of novel 6-ferrocenyl-4-aryl-2-substituted pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and screened for antiamoebic activity and toxicity. Out of 16 compounds 4f was found most active and least toxic.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide