Synthesis of 2-pyridyl-alpha-toluenesulfonates as antimalarials

A series of substituted 2-pyridyl-alpha-toluenesulfonates was synthesized for antimalarial testing. They were prepared by treating various 2-pyridinols with alpha-toluenesulfonyl chlorides in the presence of an alkali. In tests against Plasmodium berghei in mice at 640 mg/kg, only 3,5-dichloro-2-pyridyl-alpha-toluenesulfonate was considered active, i.e., doubled the mean survival time.