Synthesis and Antitubercular Activities in Vitro of New p-Aminosalicylic Ester Imines

In the present study, novel imines (5-16) of para-aminosalicylic esters were prepared in good yield and purity for the investigation of their antimycobacterial properties in vitro. The chemical structures of the compounds were determined by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Unlike para-aminosalicylic acid itself, these compounds are thermally stable and displayed activity in two models using pathogenic strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Compound 5, bearing an ortho-hydroxybenzylidene unit, demonstrated promising activity in vitro and a range of cytotoxic and inhibitory properties that warrant further studies.