Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Tricyclic Pyrrolidinyl (R)-Alcohols and Amines

Three new tricyclic pyrrolidinyl alcohols and three tricyclic pyrrolidinyl amines were synthesized, and the antibacterial activities of these compounds were tested against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. All tested pyrrolidinyl alcohols and amines showed antibacterial activity to the tested pathogens, but this activity was dependent on the final concentration of the tested compound, and the structure of these compounds were also important for this antibacterial activity. Of the tested compounds, (2R)-2-(octahydro-4,8-ethanocyclohepta[c] pyrrol2(1H)-yl)-2-phenylethanamine (2c) was the most effective compound among the tested pyrrolidinyl alcohols and amines. This study shows a good example of finding new antimicrobials in order to control pathogenic bacteria.