Synthesis of Antiprotozoal 2-(4-Alkyloxyphenyl)-Imidazolines and Imidazoles and Their Evaluation on Leishmania mexicana and Trypanosoma cruzi

Twenty 2-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-imidazolines and 2-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-imidazoles were synthesized, with the former being synthesized in two steps by using MW and ultrasonication energy, resulting in good to excellent yields. Imidazoles were obtained in moderate yields by oxidizing imidazolines with MnO and MW energy. In response to the urgent need to treat neglected tropical diseases, a set of 2-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)- imidazolines and imidazoles was tested in vitro on and . The leishmanicidal activity of ten compounds was evaluated, showing an IC < 10 µg/mL. Among these compounds, - were the most active, with IC values < 1 µg/mL (similar to the reference drugs). In the evaluation on epimastigotes of , only and reached an IC < 1 µg/mL, showing better inhibition than both reference drugs. However, compounds , , and also demonstrated attractive trypanocidal activities, with IC values < 10 µg/mL, similar to the values for benznidazole and nifurtimox.