Biologically active hydroxymoyl chlorides as antifungal agents

Several oximes and oxime ethers have been developed as antimicrobial agents. A series of chlorooximes (hydroximoyl chlorides) have been synthesized and tested for antifungal activity under in-vitro conditions against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flaviis and Aspergillus niger. The derived antifungal activity has been compared with the corresponding oximes. The results show that most of the chlorooximes exhibit potent antifungal activity with anti-isomers showing better activity. It is observed that most of the chlorooximes show interesting antifungal activity (MICs≤ 32 μg/mL) compared to oximes. Compound 3q (2,3-dimethoxy phenyl hydroxymoyl chloride) is the most active compound. This compound is active against all the Candida species (MIC 0.5 μg/mL) as well as filamentous fungi with MIC range of 2-4 μg/mL. This series of compounds are fungicidal in nature as evident from the MFC results.