1(((5-Nitrofuranyl)methylene)amino)-4 and/or-5-substituted 2-imidazolidinones

A series of 1-[[(5-nitrofuranyl)methylene]amino]-4- and/or -5-substituted 2-imidazolidinones was prepared utilizing three different reaction sequences. The structure of 4, the product derived from 4-methyl-2-imidazolidinone (2a), was verified by synthesis using an alternate, unequivocal route. The levo isomer l-4 was prepared by a series of reactions starting with L(+)-2-amino-1-propanol (l-10). All of the nitrofurans were examined for potential use as chemotherapeutic agents for urinary tract infections. Based on the high level of activity in the urine and the in vitro antibacterial activity (MIC) 4, l-4, and 16 are considered to be the most active as urinary tract agents.