2-Acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones. 10. 2-Propionyl-, 2-butyryl-, and 2-(2-methylpropionyl)pyridine thiosemicarbazones as potential antimalarial agents.

In view of the antimalarial properties observed for many 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones, a series of N4,N4-disubstituted thiosemicarbazones derived from 2-propionyl-, 2-butyryl-, and 2-(2-methylpropionyl)pyridine was prepared for evaluation against the malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei, in the mouse. The thiosemicarbazones were made by the reaction of methyl hydrazinecarbodithioate with a 2-acylpyridine to give the intermediate methyl 3-[1-2-pyridinyl)alkylidene]hydrazinecarbodithioates. Reaction of the latter with 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane, 1-(2-pyridinyl)piperazine, or 1H-hexahydroazepine gave the requisite thiosemicarbazones. The three thiosemicarbazones derived from 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane were most effective, the greatest potency being exhibited by 3-azabicyclo-[3.2.2]nonane-3-thiocarboxylic acid 2-[1-(2-pyridinyl)butylidene]hydrazide (4) which cured 4/5 mice at a dose of 160 mg/kg. In contrast to the related thiosemicarbazones derived from 2-acetylpyridine, virtually no toxic effects were observed in the series described here.