Two new 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole derivatives, namely, 2-(4-phenoxypyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole, C18H13N3O, and 2-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)pyridin-2-yl]-1H-benzimidazole, C18H12FN3O, were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structure, biological activity and ADME analyses were performed for these two new compounds and a third compound, namely, 5,6-dimethyl-2-[4-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl]-1H-benzimidazole methanol monosolvate, C24H25N5·CH3OH, the synthesis of which had been described previously. All three compounds have a similar chain hydrogen-bonding pattern. One of them (the fluorophenoxy derivative) showed good antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The ADME analysis indicates that the compounds could be good drug candidates.
Keywords: ADME; antibacterial activity; benzimidazole; crystal structure.