Synthesis of 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-5-(substituted phenyl)-4, 5-dihydro-1H-1-pyrazolyl-4-pyridylmethanone derivatives with anti-viral activity

A series of N1-nicotinoyl-3- (4-hydroxy-3-methyl phenyl)-5-(substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolines were synthesized by the reaction between isoniazid (INH) and chalcones and were tested for their in vitro anti-viral activity. Among the compounds, the electron withdrawing group substituted analogues 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-4, 5-dihydro-1H-1- pyrazolyl-4-pyridylmethanone (4b), 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1-pyrazolyl-4-pyri- dylmethanone (4i), 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro- 1H-1-pyrazolyl-4-pyridylmethanone (4h) and 5-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro- 1H-1-pyrazolyl-4-pyridyl methanone (4j) were the most promising and the halogeno function appeared to be essential for antiviral activity.