A facile iodine(III)-mediated synthesis of 3-(3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines via oxidation of 2-((3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)hydrazines and their antimicrobial evaluations.

Background: Fused heterocyclic 1,2,4-triazoles have acquired much importance because of their interesting biological properties. Although a number of methods have been reported in the literature which includes oxidation with phosphorus oxychloride, lead tetraacetate, bromine, etc., hypervalent iodine reagents have emerged as reagents of choice for various synthetically useful transformations due to their low toxicity, ready availability and ease of handling.

Results: A series of new 3-(3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines 4 has been conveniently synthesized by oxidative cyclization of 2-(3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)hydrazines 3 promoted with iodobenzene diacetate under mild conditions (up to 90% isolated yields). All the new compounds were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity.

Conclusions: Iodine(III)-mediated oxidative approach has offered an easy access to new 3-(3-aryl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines 4. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of newly synthesized compounds have proved them potent antimicrobial agents.