Design, synthesis and biological activity of N-(2-phenoxy)ethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxamides as new antitubercular agents

A series of N-(2-phenoxy)ethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxamides (IPAs), based on the structure of WZY02 discovered in our lab, were designed and synthesized as new anti-TB agents. Results reveal that many of them exhibit excellent in vitro inhibitory activity with low nanomolar MIC values against both drug-sensitive MTB strain H37Rv and drug-resistant clinical isolates. Compounds 15b and 15d display good safety and pharmacokinetic profiles, suggesting their promising potential to be lead compounds for future antitubercular drug discovery.