1-Chloro-2-formyl indenes and tetralenes as antitubercular agents.

1-Chloro-2-formyl indenes and tetralenes have been synthesized using Vilsmeier-Haack-Arnold reaction onto indanones and tetralones. Most of these analogues exhibited antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain with MICs ranging from 30 to 500 μg/mL. Analogue 13 was further modified to some derivatives. The most active analogue 23 showing MIC at 30 μg/mL was further evaluated for acute oral toxicity in Swiss albino mice and was found to be safe up to 300 mg/kg dose.