Synthesis and antimalarial effects of N,N-dialkyl-6-(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazin-3-amines

The synthesis of a series of N,N-dialkyl-6-(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazin-3-amines (IV) by two routes is described. The first route (Scheme I) involved the oxidative cyclization of formazans (II) to 3-bromo-6-(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazines (III), followed by treatment with amines. The second (Scheme II) utilized the treatment of 3-(methylthio)-6-(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazines (VII) with amines to provide the desired products. The intermediate 3-(methylthio)-6-(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazines (VII) were obtained by thiobenzoylation of hydrazinecarbohydrazonothioic acid methyl ester with (substituted phenyl)thioxomethyl]thio]-acetic acids (V) to afford the 1,2-dihydro-3-(methylthio)-6-(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazines (VI). Oxidation with bromine in acetic acid provided the desired intermediates. The target 6-(substituted phenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazin-3-amines (IV) displayed modest antimalarial activity.