4,5-disubstituted primaquine analogs as potential antiprotozoan agents

4,5-Dimethylprimaquine and 5-fluoro-4-methylprimaquine were synthesized and evaluated against Plasmodium berghei in the mouse. Significant blood schizonticidal activity was observed. The 5-fluoro-4-methylprimaquine analog also was active as a tissue schizonticidal agent when evaluated against P. cynomolgi in the rhesus monkey, as an antileishmanial agent when evaluated against Leishmania donovani in the hamster, and as a causal prophylactic agent when evaluated against P. berghei yoelii.