Quaternary salts of 4,3' and 4,4' bis-pyridinium monooximes: synthesis and biological activity.

Six unsymmetrical bis-quaternary monooximes viz. dibromides of 1-(4-hydroxyiminomethyl pyridinium)-3-(3/4-carbamoyl pyridinium)propane, 1-(4-hydroxyiminomethyl pyridinium)-4-(3/4-carbamoyl pyridinium) butane, 1-(4-hydroxyiminomethyl pyridinium)-5-(3/4-carbamoyl pyridinium)pentane were synthesized and characterized by spectral data. Their ability to reactivate tetraethyl pyrophosphate inhibited mouse total brain cholinesterase was investigated and compared with 2-pyridine aldoxime chloride (2-PAM). All the compounds were found to be more effective acetylcholinesterase reactivators when compared with the conventional oxime, 2-PAM, except the compound (5a) with pentylene bridge and carbamoyl group present at fourth position. The bis-pyridinium monooximes with 3-carbamoyl group were more potent reactivators than the corresponding 4-carbamoyl compounds and bis-oximes tested.