Design, synthesis, and biological activities of conformationally restricted analogs of primaquine with a 1,10-phenanthroline framework

A series of primaquine analogs was prepared, according to a conformationally restricted conformation of primaquine. In vitro antiplasmodial activities were evaluated and showed that all compounds were active on different strains of Plasmodium falciparum. In particular compounds 5 and 15 possessing a methoxy group were more active than was primaquine. Furthermore, analog 5 displayed good in vitro gametocytocidal activity. In addition selectivity indexes were calculated in respect with cytotoxic activities on Vero cell lines.