Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of 1-[(2-Substituted phenyl)carbamoyl]naphthalen-2-yl Carbamates

Series of thirteen 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl]naphthalen-2-yl carbamates and thirteen 1-[(2-nitrophenyl)carbamoyl]naphthalen-2-yl carbamates with alkyl/cycloalkyl/arylalkyl chains were prepared and characterized. Primary in vitro screening of the synthesized compounds was performed against Staphylococcus aureus, two methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains, Mycobacterium marinum, and M. kansasii. 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)carbamoyl]naphthalen-2-yl ethylcarbamate and 1-[(2-nitrophenyl)carbamoyl]naphthalen-2-yl ethylcarbamate showed antistaphylococcal (MICs = 42 mu M against MRSA) and antimycobacterial (MICs = 21 mu M) activity against the tested strains comparable with or higher than that of the standards ampicillin and isoniazid. In the case of bulkier carbamate tails (R > propyl/isopropyl), the activity was similar (MICs ca. 70 mu M). Screening of the cytotoxicity of both of the most effective compounds was performed using THP-1 cells, and no significant lethal effect was observed (LD50 >30 mu M). The structure-activity relationships are discussed.