Selective anti-tubercular purines: synthesis and chemotherapeutic properties of 6-aryl- and 6-heteroaryl-9-benzylpurines.

6-Aryl- and 6-heteroaryl-9-benzylpurines have been synthesized employing palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions in the step forming the C-C or C-N bond between the aryl- or heteroaryl and the purine. The compounds were screened for activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as representative Gram+ and Gram- bacteria, and for cytotoxic effects on mammalian cells. Several potent antimycobacterials were identified. These compounds probably act by a novel and selective mechanism; they exhibit low toxicity toward other bacteria as well as mammalian cells.