Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of 7-O-substituted-4-methyl-2H-2-chromenone derivatives vs Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A series of 7-O-alkoxy-4-methylumbelliferone derivatives were prepared using a convenient one step synthesis. Additionally the bromo- and azido derivatives 7-O-(4-bromobutoxy)-, 7-O-(6-bromohexyloxy)- and 7-O-(6-azidohexyloxy)-4-methylumbelliferone derivatives were prepared. In vitro evaluation of antimycobacterial activity determined % inhibition and MIC vs M. tuberculosis H37Rv with toxicity (IC50) assessed in VERO cells. The coumarins with longer alkyl chains (nonyl and decyl) showed the optimum inhibitory activity in this series (MIC 3.13 microg/mL) and IC50 > 10 microg/mL.