Synthesis and Preliminary Evaluation of Benzofuran-Oxadiazole Conjugates as Potential Antitubercular Agents

In the present study, a series of benzofuran-oxadiazole conjugates 7(a-o) was designed, synthesized and characterized through IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral data. All the compounds were screened for preliminary antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium phlei and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RV. Among all the target compounds, the compound possessing chlorine (7k, MIC 1.56 μg/mL) and bromine (7m, MIC 1.56 μg/mL) on 6th position of benzofuran showed highest activity against Mycobacterium phlei. Whereas, bromine on either 5th position (7l, MIC 3.125 μg/mL) or 6th position (7m MIC 3.125 μg/mL) on benzofuran exhibited highest activity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37 RV).