Pyrrolopyridine analogs of nalidixic acid. 1. Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridines

A series of 4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-1H-pyrrolo2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acids was synthesized from ethyl 5-methyl(or 5H)-2-aminopyrrole-3-carboxylate. The starting pyrroles were obtained by reaction of carbethoxyacetamidine with bromoacetone or chloroacetaldehyde. One compound ( 10 ) showed antibacterial activity in vitro.