Synthesis and biological activity of fluorinated 2-amino-4-aryl-3,4-dihydro[1,3,5]triazino[1,2-a]benzimidazoles

The heterocyclic nucleus s-triazino1,2-a]benzimidazole has been reported to exhibit antibacterial activity. In this study, seven new 3,4-dihydro1,3,5]triazino1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives were prepared via cyclocondensation between 2-guanidinobenzimidazole and fluorine substituted (including trifluoromethyl) benzaldehydes. The structures of all the compounds were confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and IR spectral data. Spectral data also suggested the existence of various tautomeric forms of the fluorine-containing s-triazino1,2-a]benzimidazole compounds. The synthesized compounds were also screened for antibacterial and bovine dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitory activities. The compound 3g substituted with a 3′,5′-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl moiety demonstrated the best antibacterial activity in the series. None of the tested compounds significantly inhibited bovine DHFR.