Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some novel 5-alkyl-6-substituted uracils and related derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules16064764

6-Chloro-5-ethyl-, n-propyl- and isopropyluracils 5a-c were efficiently prepared from the corresponding 5-alkybarbituric acids 3a-c via treatment with phosphorus oxychloride and N,N-dimethylaniline to yield the corresponding 5-alkyl-2,4,6-trichloropyrimidines 4a-c, which were selectively hydrolyzed by heating in 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide for 30 minutes. The reaction of compounds 5a-c with 1-substituted piperazines yielded the corresponding 5-alkyl-6-(4-substituted-1-piperazinyl)uracils 6a-j. The target 8-alkyltetrazolo[1,5-f]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-diones 7a-c were prepared via the reaction of 5a-c with sodium azide. Compounds 6a-j and 7a-c were tested for in vitro activities against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and the yeast-like pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. Compound 6h displayed potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, while compound 6b showed moderate activity against the Gram-positive bacteria. All the tested compounds were practically inactive against Candida albicans.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules16064764

Molecules 2011, 16, 4764-4774; doi:10.3390/molecules16064764
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some Novel
5-Alkyl-6-Substituted Uracils and Related Derivatives
Abdulghafoor A. Al-Turkistani, Omar A. Al-Deeb, Nasser R. El-Brollosy and Ali A. El-Emam *
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451,
Saudi Arabia
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: aelemam@ksu.edu.sa.
Received: 13 May 2011; in revised form: 31 May 2011 / Accepted: 1 June 2011 /
Published: 8 June 2011
Abstract: 6-Chloro-5-ethyl-, n-propyl- and isopropyluracils 5a-c were efficiently prepared
from the corresponding 5-alkybarbituric acids 3a-c via treatment with phosphorus
oxychloride and N,N-dimethylaniline to yield the corresponding 5-alkyl-2,4,6-trichloro-
pyrimidines 4a-c, which were selectively hydrolyzed by heating in 10% aqueous sodium
hydroxide for 30 minutes. The reaction of compounds 5a-c with 1-substituted piperazines
yielded the corresponding 5-alkyl-6-(4-substituted-1-piperazinyl)uracils 6a-j. The target
8-alkyltetrazolo[1,5-f]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-diones 7a-c were prepared via the reaction of
5a-c with sodium azide. Compounds 6a-j and 7a-c were tested for in vitro activities against
a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and the yeast-like pathogenic fungus
Candida albicans. Compound 6h displayed potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity,
while compound 6b showed moderate activity against the Gram-positive bacteria. All the
tested compounds were practically inactive against Candida albicans.
Keywords: synthesis; 5-alkyluracils; 8-alkyltetrazolo[1,5-f]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-dione;
antimicrobial activity
1. Introduction
The development of new chemotherapeutic agents is becoming the major interest in many academic
and industrial research laboratories all over the world with the aim to discover newer, more potent
molecules, with higher specificity and reduced toxicity than the existing ones. In addition, the various

Molecules 2011, 16
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types of resistant microorganisms that are being discovered nowadays are becoming a great challenge
for scientists. Uracils occupy a distinct and unique place in medicine. The chemotherapeutic efficacy
of uracil and pyrimidine derivatives is related to their ability to inhibit vital enzymes responsible
for DNA biosynthesis such as dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), thymidylate synthetase (TSase),
thymidine phosphorylase (TPase) and reverse transcriptase (RTase). A large array of uracil
non-nucleoside derivatives possess a variety chemotherapeutic properties. These properties
include anticancer [1-5], antiviral [6-14] and antimicrobial activities [15-19]. Moreover, several
bis(heteroaryl)piperazine derivatives (BHAP) were introduced as potent anti-HIV drugs [20,21]. In
addition, fused pyrimidines were reported to exhibit important biological activities [22-24].
In continuation to our interest in the chemical and pharmacological properties of uracil derivatives
[10-14,25-27], we report herein the synthesis of a new series of 6-(4-substituted-1-piperazinyl)-5-
alkyluracils and 8-alkyltetrazolo[1,5-f]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-diones as potential antimicrobial agents.
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Chemistry
The conversion of barbituric acid and its 5-substituted derivatives to the corresponding
6-chlorouracils has been reported by several authors. Kaul et al. [28] and Koroniak et al. [29]
reported the preparation of 5-alkyl-6-chlorouracils via the one-pot reaction of the corresponding
5-alkyl-barbituric acid with phospophorus oxychloride and trace amounts of water. This one-pot
reaction yields considerable amounts of 5-alkyl-2,4,6-trichloropyrimines as by-products. In the present
investigation, 5-(ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl)-barbituric acids 3a-c were prepared in good yields by the
condensation of the appropriate diethyl alkylmalonate 1a-c with urea (2) in dry methanol, in the
presence of sodium methoxide [29]. The 5-alkylbarbituric acids 3a-c were further reacted with POCl3
and N,N-dimethylaniline to yield the corresponding 5-alkyl-2,4,6-trichloropyrimidines 4a-c, which
were selectively hydrolyzed by heating in aqueous sodium hydroxide for 30 minutes to yield the target
derivatives 5a-c in good overall yields (Scheme 1).
Scheme 1. Synthesis of compounds 5a-c.
O
R
HN
COOEt
NH2
NH2
NaOEt
R
O
+
COOEt
O
N
H
3a-c
O
1
2
1a, 3a, 4a, 5a: R = C2H5
1b, 3b, 4b, 5b: R = C3H7(n)
1c, 3c, 4c, 5c: R = C3H7(iso)
POCl3
PhN(CH3)2
O
Cl
R
R
HN
Na+OH-/H2O
Reflux, 30 min.
N
O
N
H
Cl
Cl
N
Cl
5a-c
4a-c

Molecules 2011, 16
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The reaction of compounds 5a-c with some 1-substituted piperazines in ethanol in the presence of
potassium carbonate yielded the target 5-alkyl-6-(4-substituted-1-piperazinyl)uracils 6a-j in 51-91%
yields. Compounds 5a-c were reacted with aqueous sodium azide solution in acetic acid via heating for
4 hours to yield the target 8-alkyltetrazolo[1,5-f]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-diones 7a-c. The reaction is
thought to proceed through nucleophilic substitution of the chlorine atom to yield the 6-azido
derivatives, which subsequently cyclized to give compounds 7a-c (Scheme 2, Table 1). The structures
of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed on the basis of their elemental analysis and IR,
1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectral data.
Scheme 2. Synthesis of compounds 6a-j and 7a-c.
O
O
R
R
N
HN
HN
HN
N R'
O
N
H
Cl
O
N
H
K2CO3/EtOH
N
5a-c
6a-j
R'
NaN3
AcOH
O
R
N
HN
O
N
HN N
7a-c
Table 1. Melting points, yield percentages, molecular formulae and molecular weights of
newly synthesized compounds 6a-j and 7a-c.
Comp.
No.
6a
Yield
(%)
64
Molecular Formula
(Mol. Wt.)
R
R’
Mp (°C)
C2H5
C2H5
COOC2H5
C6H5
134-6
173-5
C13H20N4O4 (296.32)
C16H20N4O2 (300.36)
C17H22N4O3 (330.38)
C13H22N4O2 (266.34)
C14H22N4O4 (310.35)
C17H22N4O2 (314.38)
C18H24N4O3 (344.41)
C18H21F3N4O2 (382.38)
C17H22N4O2 (314.38)
C18H24N4O3 (344.41)
C6H7N5O2 (181.06)
C7H9N5O2 (195.18)
C7H9N5O2 (195.18)
6b
6c
51
C2H5
2-CH3OC6H4
C2H5
166-8
65
6d
6e
C3H7(n)
C3H7(n)
C3H7(n)
C3H7(n)
C3H7(n)
C3H7(iso)
C3H7(iso)
C2H5
148-50
62
COOC2H5
C6H5
161-3
70
6f
176-8
88
6g
2-CH3OC6H4
3-CF3C6H4
C6H5
169-71
85
6h
6i
174-6
76
192-4
90
6j
2-CH3OC6H4
-
188-90
91
7a
215-7 (dec.)
252-4 (dec.)
242-4 (dec.)
52
7b
7c
C3H7(n)
C3H7(iso)
-
59
-
55

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2.2. Antimicrobial Testing
The newly synthesized compounds 6a-j and 7a-c were tested for their in vitro growth inhibitory
activity against the standard strains of the Institute of Fermentation of Osaka (IFO) namely;
Staphylococcus aureus IFO 3060, Bacillus subtilis IFO 3007, Micrococcus luteus IFO 3232
(Gram-positive bacteria), Escherichia coli IFO 3301, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa IFO 3448
(Gram-negative bacteria), and the yeast-like pathogenic fungus Candida albicans IFO 0583. The
primary screening was carried out using the agar disc-diffusion method using Müller-Hinton agar
medium [30]. The results of the preliminary antimicrobial testing of compounds 6a-j and 7a-c
(200 μg/disc), the antibacterial antibiotic ampicillin trihydrate (100 μg/disc) and the antifungal drug
clotrimazole (100 μg/disc) are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Antimicrobial activity of compounds 6a-j and 7a-c (200 μg/8 mm disc), the broad
spectrum antibacterial antibiotics gentamicin (100 μg/8 mm disc), ampicillin (100 μg/8 mm
disc) and the antifungal drug clotrimazole (100 μg/8 mm disc) against Staphylococcus
aureus IFO 3060 (SA), Bacillus subtilis IFO 3007 (BS), Micrococcus luteus IFO 3232
(ML), Escherichia coli IFO 3301 (EC), Pseudomonas aeuroginosa IFO 3448 (PA), and
Candida albicans IFO 0583 (CA).
Diameter of Growth Inhibition Zone (mm) *
Comp. No.
SA
BS
ML
EC
PA
C A
6a
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6b
12
-
14
-
15
-
6c
13
-
6d
-
-
15
-
6e
-
-
11
-
6f
-
-
11
-
-
6g
13
6h
22(4) **
26(2) **
28(1) **
20(4) ** 16(16) **
-
6i
-
-
12
14
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6j
7a
-
-
-
-
-
-
7b
-
-
-
-
7c
-
-
-
-
Gentamicin
Ampicillin
Clotrimazole
26(2) **
25(2) **
18(2) ** 20(0.5) ** 19(1) **
NT
NT
21
23(2) ** 21(0.5) ** 19(2) **
NT NT NT
17(2) **
NT
16(2) **
NT
* (-): Inactive (inhibition zone < 10 mm). (NT): Not tested. ** The figures shown in parentheses
represent the MIC values (μg/mL).
The results revealed that only compound 6h showed marked broad-spectrum inhibitory activity
against the tested bacteria, while compound 6b displayed limited activity against the tested
Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, all the tested compounds were inactive against the yeast-like
pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. According to the results of the antimicrobial activity, it seems
difficult to abstract definite structure-activity relationship. However, we can conclude that the

Molecules 2011, 16
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Gram-positive bacteria Micrococcus luteus are generally sensitive to the 6-piperazino uracils
derivatives 6a-j. In general, the antibacterial activity seemed to be dependent on the nature of
6-subtituents rather the basic skeleton of the molecules. Within the 6-piperazino series 6a-j, the highest
activity was observed with the 3-trifluoromethylphenyl-1-piperazinyl derivative 6h which endows
potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. In addition, it would be concluded that the synthesized
compounds are not suitable candidate for antifungal activity. The minimal inhibitory concentration
(MIC) for the active compound 6h against the same microorganism used in the primary screening was
carried out using the microdilution susceptibility method in Müller-Hinton Broth and Sabouraud
Liquid Medium [31]. The MIC of compound 6h, the antibacterial antibiotics ampicillin trihydrate
and gentamicin which are shown in Table 2, were in accordance with the results obtained in the
primary screening.
3. Experimental
3.1. General
Melting points (°C) were measured in open glass capillaries using a Branstead 9001 electrothermal
melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. NMR spectra were obtained on a Bruker AC 500 Ultra
Shield NMR spectrometer (Fällanden, Switzerland) operating at 500.13 MHz for 1H and 125.76 MHz
for 13C; the chemical shifts are expressed in δ (ppm) downfield from tetramethylsilane (TMS) as
internal standard; coupling constants (J) are expressed in Hz. Electrospray ionization mass spectra
(ESI-MS) were recorded on an Agilent 6410 Triple Quad tandem mass spectrometer at 4.0 and 3.5 kV
for positive and negative ions, respectively. Elemental analyses (C, H, N, S) were in full agreement with
the proposed structures within ± 0.4% of the theoretical values. Monitoring the reactions and checking the
purity of the final products were carried out by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using silica gel precoated
aluminum sheets (60 F254, Merck) and visualization with ultraviolet light (UV) at 365 and 254 nm. The
bacterial strains and Candida albicans fungus were obtained from the Institute of Fermentation of Osaka
(IFO), Osaka, Japan. The reference drugs ampicillin trihydrate (CAS 7177-48-2) and clotrimazole (CAS
23593-75-1) were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH (Taufkirchen, Germany).
3.2. 5-Alkylbarbituric Acids 3a-c [29]
Methanolic sodium methoxide solution was prepared by portionwise addition of sodium metal
(10.35 gm, 0.45 gm-atom) to dry methanol (200 mL) with continuous stirring over a period of
30 minutes. The appropriate diethyl alkylmalonate 1a-c (0.3 mol) was then added dropwise at room
temperature and the mixture was heated under reflux for 30 minutes and cooled to room temperature.
Urea (2, 18 gm, 0.3 mole) was added at once and the reaction mixture was heated under reflux for
10 hours. The mixture was distilled in vacuo and the solid residue was dissolved in water (250 mL).
The solution was then treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid to pH 2-3 and refrigerated
overnight. The precipitated product was filtered, washed with cold water (100 mL) and dried at 80 °C.
The products 3a-c which were pure enough (TLC CH3Cl:MeOH 8:2 v/v) were used in the second
reaction without further purification. Compound 3a: M.p.: 201-2 °C, Yield: 82%. Compound 3b: M.p.:
210-1 °C, Yield: 95%. Compound 3c: M.p.: 216-8 °C, Yield: 76%.

Molecules 2011, 16
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3.3. 5-Alkyl-6-Chlorouracils 5a-c
The appropriate 5-alkybarbituric acid 3a-c (0.05 mol) was added portionwise to a mixture of
phosphorus oxychloride (19.2 mL) and N,N-dimethylaniline (10.3 mL) over a period of 10 minutes with
stirring. The mixture was then heated under reflux for one hour. On cooling, the mixture was poured onto
crushed ice (200 gm), stirred for 30 minutes and extracted with diethyl ether (2 × 200 mL). The ethereal
extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and evaporated under vacuum at room temperature
to yield the crude 5-alkyl-2,4,6-trichloropyrimidines 4a-c as white waxy solids. 10% sodium hydroxide
(20 mL) was then added to the crude product and the mixture was heated under reflux for 30 minutes.
On cooling, the mixture was acidified with hydrochloric acid to pH 1-2 and the separated precipitate
was filtered, washed with cold water and crystallized from ethanol.
1
6-Chloro-5-ethyluracil (5a): M.p.: 228-10 °C, Yield: 7.25 gm (83%). H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.95
(t, 3H, CH2CH3, J = 7.5 Hz), 2.86 (q, 2H, CH2CH3, J = 7.5 Hz), 11.32 (s, 1H, NH), 11.82 (s, 1H, NH).
13C-NMR: 17.06 (CH2CH3), 19.08 (CH2CH3), 111.86 (C-5), 141.08 (C-6), 150.10 (C=O), 163.20
(C=O). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 173.1 (M−, 100), 175.1 (M- + 2, 34).
6-Chloro-5-(n-propyl)uracil (5b): M.p.: 238-9 °C, Yield: 8.12 gm (86%). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.85
(t, 3H, CH2CH3, J = 7.5 Hz), 1.37-1.44 (m, 2H, CH2CH3), 2.26 (t, 2H, CH2CH2, J = 7.5 Hz), 11.31
13
(s, 1H, NH), 11.83 (s, 1H, NH). C-NMR: 14.05 (CH2CH3), 21.45 (CH2CH3), 27.45 (CH2CH2CH3),
110.49 (C-5), 141.49 (C-6), 150.10 (C=O), 163.35 (C=O). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 187.1 (M−, 100),
189.1 (M− + 2, 31).
1
6-Chloro-5-(iso-propyl)uracil (5c): M.p.: 257-9 °C, Yield: 6.98 gm (74%). H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ
1.14 (d, 6H, CH3, J = 7.2 Hz), 2.51-2.63 (m, 1H, CH), 11.22 (s, 1H, NH), 11.79 (s, 1H, NH).
13C-NMR: 20.02 (CH3), 26.52 (CH), 113.95 (C-5), 140.95 (C-6), 149.75 (C=O), 162.75 (C=O).
ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 187.1 (M−, 100), 189.1 (M− + 2, 35).
3.4. 5-Alkyl-6-(4-Substituted-1-Piperazinyl)uracils 6a-j
A mixture of the appropriate 6-chlorouracil 5a-c (0.002 mol), the appropriate 1-substituted piperazine
(0.002 mol) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.28 gm, 0.002 mol), in ethanol (8 mL), was heated
under reflux for 6 hours. After cooling the solvent was then distilled off in vacuo, and water (10 mL) was
added to the residue. The separated precipitate was filtered, washed with cold water, dried and
crystallized from ethanol.
1
6-(4-Ethoxycarbonyl-1-piperazinyl)-5-ethyluracil (6a): H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.93 (t, 3H, CH2CH3,
J = 7.0 Hz), 1.17 (t, 3H, OCH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.27 (q, 2H, CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.90 (s, 4H,
piperazine-H), 3.45 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 4.03 (q, 2H, OCH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 8.05 (br. s, 2H, NH).
13C-NMR: 13.05 (CH2CH3), 14.46 (CH2CH3), 18.89 (OCH2CH3), 42.22, 43.63 (piperazine-C), 60.87
(OCH2CH3), 108.46 (C-5), 149.21, 153.41, 163.92 (C-2, C-6 & C-4), 154.49 (ester C=O). ESI-MS, m/z
(Rel. Int.): 295.2 (M−, 100).

Molecules 2011, 16
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1
6-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-5-ethyluracil (6b): H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.92 (t, 3H, CH3, J = 6.8 Hz),
2.28 (d, 2H, CH2, J = 6.8 Hz), 3.14 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 3.26 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 6.81-6.96
13
(m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.22 (d, 2H, Ar-H, J = 6.5 Hz), 8.66 (br. s, 2H, NH). C-NMR: 13.75 (CH3), 19.52
(CH2), 43.98, 47.27 (piperazine-C), 107.96 (C-5), 116.26, 119.96, 129.46, 151.06 (Ar-C), 152.77,
155.29, 164.87 (C-2, C-6 & C-4). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 299.2 (M−, 100).
1
6-[4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)]-5-ethyluracil (6c): H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.90 (t, 3H,
CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.26 (q, 2H, CH2, J = 7.0 Hz), 3.42-3.46 (m, 8H, piperazine-H), 3.79 (OCH3),
13
9.82 (s, 2H, NH). C-NMR: 13.80 (CH3), 19.27 (CH2), 44.25, 46.51 (piperazine-C), 55.98 (OCH3),
104.33 (C-5), 156.77, 159.13, 165.53 (C-2, C-6 & C-4). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 331.2 (M+, 100).
1
6-(4-Ethyl-1-piperazinyl)-5-(n-propyl)uracil (6d): H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 0.74 (t, 3H, CH2CH2CH3,
J = 7.0 Hz), 0.98 (t, 3H, CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.29-1.33 (m, 2H, CH2CH2CH3), 2.23 (t, 2H,
CH2CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.35 (q, 2H, CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.73 (br. s, 4H, piperazine-H), 3.06 (br.
s, 4H, piperazine-H), 8.09 (br. s, 2H, NH). 13C-NMR: 9.67 (CH2CH2CH3), 12.91 (CH2CH3), 21.23
(CH2CH2CH3), 27.30 (CH2CH2CH3), 42.71, 49.34 (piperazine-C), 51.65 (CH2CH3), 108.77 (C-5),
157.56, 159.21, 167.39 (C-2, C-6 & C-4). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 267.2 (M+, 100).
1
6-(4-Ethoxycarbonyl-1-piperazinyl)-5-(n-propyl)uracil (6e): H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.95 (t, 3H,
CH2CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.32-1.34 (m, 2H, CH2CH2CH3), 1.72 (t, 3H, OCH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.25
(q, 2H, CH2CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.92 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 3.46 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 4.03 (q, 2H,
13
OCH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 8.13 (br. s, 2H, NH). C-NMR: 13.64 (CH2CH2CH3), 14.45 (CH2CH2CH3),
21.33 (OCH2CH3), 27.40 (CH2CH2CH3), 42.05, 43.51 (piperazine-C), 60.89 (OCH2CH3), 107.27
(C-5), 148.79, 153.07, 163.99 (C-2, C-6 & C-4), 154.47 (ester C=O). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 309.2
(M−, 100).
6-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-5-(n-propyl)uracil (6f): 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.84 (t, 3H, CH3, J = 7.0 Hz),
1.35-1.37 (m, 2H, CH2CH3), 2.23 (t, 2H, CH2CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 3.13 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 3.25
(s, 4H, piperazine-H), 6.82-6.96 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.23 (d, 2H, Ar-H, J = 6.5 Hz), 8.28 (br. s, 2H, NH).
13C-NMR: 14.20 (CH3), 22.02 (CH2CH3), 28.12 (CH2CH2CH3), 44.04, 47.34 (piperazine-C), 106.55
(C-5), 116.25, 119.93, 129.49, 151.10 (Ar-C), 153.0, 155.08, 165.01 (C-2, C-6 & C-4). ESI-MS, m/z
(Rel. Int.): 315.2 (M+, 100).
1
6-[4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)]-5-(n-propyl)uracil (6g): H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.84 (t, 3H,
CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.35-1.40 (m, 2H, CH2CH3), 2.23 (t, 2H, CH2CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 3.10 (s, 4H,
piperazine-H), 3.15 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 3.78 (s, 3H, OCH3), 6.89-7.0 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 8.35 (br. s, 2H,
NH). 13C-NMR: 14.27 (CH3), 22.09 (CH2CH3), 28.17 (CH2CH2CH3), 44.47, 49.03 (piperazine-C),
55.81 (OCH3), 106.09 (C-5), 112.37, 118.61, 121.30, 123.46, 141.07, 152.39 (Ar-C), 153.10, 155.93,
165.05 (C-2, C-6 & C-4). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 345.2 (M+, 100).
1
6-[4-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)]-5-(n-propyl)uracil (6h): H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.84
(t, 3H, CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.36-1.38 (m, 2H, CH2CH3), 2.24 (t, 2H, CH2CH2CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 3.09 (s, 4H,
piperazine-H), 3.32 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 7.09-7.24 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.41-7.43 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.92 (br. s,

Molecules 2011, 16
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13
2H, NH). C-NMR: 14.14 (CH3), 21.90 (CH2CH3), 27.99 (CH2CH2CH3), 44.25, 47.19 (piperazine-C),
107.16 (C-5), 111.70, 115.50, 119.43, 123.74, 125.93, 130.47, 150.77 (Ar-C & CF3), 151.49, 154.14,
164.70 (C-2, C-6 & C-4). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 383.2 (M+, 100).
6-(4-Phenyl-1-piperazinyl)-5-isopropyluracil (6i): 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 1.16 (d, 6H, CH3, J = 6.5 Hz),
2.50 (d, 1H, CH, J = 6.5 Hz), 3.07 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 3.21 (s, 4H, piperazine-H), 6.79-6.95 (m, 3H,
Ar-H), 7.21-7.22 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 8.06 (br. s, 2H, NH). 13C-NMR: 20.58 (CH3), 27.75 (CH), 44.52,
47.92 (piperazine-C), 111.26 (C-5), 116.15, 119.76, 129.43, 149.63 (Ar-C), 151.33, 153.80, 164.05 (C-2,
C-6 & C-4). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 315.2 (M+, 100).
1
6-[4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)]-5-isopropyluracil (6i): H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 1.17 (d, 6H,
CH3, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.51-2.55 (m, 1H, CH), 2.92-3.09 (m, 8H, piperazine-H), 3.79 (s, 3H, OCH3),
6.99-7.42 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 8.11 (br. s. 2H, NH). 13C-NMR: 20.18 (CH3), 27.33 (CH), 44.12, 48.76
(piperazine-C), 55.32 (OCH3), 110.06 (C-5), 111.93, 118.11, 120.82, 122.90, 140.70, 150.79 (Ar-C),
151.93, 153.93, 163.82 (C-2, C-6 & C-4). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 345.2 (M+, 100).
3.5. 8-Alkyltetrazolo[1,5-F]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-dione 7a-c
A solution of sodium azide (0.7 gm, 0.011 mol) in water (3.0 mL) was added to a solution of the
appropriate 5-alkyl-6-chlorouracil 6a-c (0.01 mol) in acetic acid (5 mL), and the mixture was heated
under reflux for 6 hours. On cooling, water (10 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for
30 minutes. The separated crude product was filtered, washed with cold water, dried and crystallized
from ethanol.
8-Ethyltetrazolo[1,5-f]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-dione (7a): 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.95 (t, 3H,
CH2CH3, J = 7.5 Hz), 2.29 (q, 2H, CH2CH3, J = 7.5 Hz), 11.32 (s, 1H, NH), 11.82 (s, 1H, NH).
13C-NMR: 18.06 (CH2CH3), 19.08 (CH2CH3), 111.86 (C-8), 141.08 (C-9), 150.10 (C-5), 163.20 (C-7).
ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 180.1 (M−, 100).
1
8-(n-Propyl)tetrazolo[1,5-f]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-dione (7b): H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.85 (t, 3H,
CH2CH2CH3, J = 7.5 Hz), 1.37-1.44 (m, 2H, CH2CH2CH3), 2.26 (t, 2H, CH2CH2CH3, J = 7.5 Hz),
13
11.31 (s, 1H, NH), 11.83 (s, 1H, NH). C-NMR: 14.05 (CH2CH2CH3), 21.45 (CH2CH2CH3), 27.46
(CH2CH2CH3), 110.39 (C-8), 141.49 (C-9), 150.10 (C-5), 163.35 (C-7). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 195.1
(M−, 100).
8-Isopropyltetrazolo[1,5-f]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-dione (7c): 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 1.17 (d, 6H, CH3,
J = 7.0 Hz), 2.99-3.03 (m, 1H, CH), 11.23 (s, 1H, NH), 11.75 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR: 20.13 (CH3), 27.56
(CH), 114.33 (C-8), 140.59 (C-9), 150.0 (C-5), 162.72 (C-7). ESI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.): 195.1 (M−, 100).
3.6. Determination of the Antimicrobial Activity by the Agar Disc-Diffusion Method [30]
Sterile filter paper discs (8 mm diameter) were moistened with the compound solution in
dimethylsulphoxide of specific concentration (200 μg/disc), the antibacterial antibiotics gentamicin
and ampicillin trihydrate (100 μg/disc) and the antifungal drug clotrimazole (100 μg/disc) were

Molecules 2011, 16
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carefully placed on the agar culture plates that had been previously inoculated separately with the
microorganisms. The plates were incubated at 37 °C, and the diameter of the growth inhibition zones
were measured after 24 hours in case of bacteria and 48 h in case of Candida albicans.
3.7. Determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) [31]
Compound 6h, gentamicin and ampicillin trihydrate were dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide at a
concentration of 128 μg/mL. Twofold serial dilutions of the solution were then prepared (128, 64,
32, …, 0.5 μg/mL). The microorganism suspensions at 106 CFU/mL (colony forming unit/ml)
concentrations were inoculated to the corresponding wells. The plates were incubated at 36 °C for 24
and 48 h for the bacteria and Candida albicans, respectively. The MIC values were determined as the
lowest concentration that completely inhibited visible growth of the microorganism as detected by
unaided eye.
4. Conclusions
In this study, the synthesis and antimicrobial testing of 5-alkyl-6-(4-substituted-1-piperazinyl)uracils
6a-j, and 8-alkyltetrazolo[1,5-f]pyrimidine-5,7(3H,6H)-diones 7a-c, is described. The compound
6-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)]-5-(n-propyl)uracil (6h) was proven to possess potent
broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against certain strains of pathogenic bacteria, although the
mechanism of the biological activity needs further investigation, which is in progress.
Acknowledgements
The financial support of the Deanship of Scientific Research and the Research Center of the College
of Pharmacy, King Saud University is greatly appreciated. The authors are grateful to El-Sayed E.
Habib, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mansoura, Egypt, for
performing the antimicrobial testing.
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