Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of 5-Thiomethylfuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

We report here the synthesis of methyl esters of 5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylsulfanylmethyl)furan-2-carboxylic acids containing an alkyl or 2(4)-alkoxyphenyl substituent in position 5 of the triazole ring. Alkaline hydrolysis of these esters yielded the corresponding acids. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the oscillating hydrogen atom in the triazole ring of the methyl ester of 5-[5-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylsulfanylmethyl] furyl-2-carboxylic acid was located on the N1 atom. The antibacterial properties of the esters and acids were studied.