Synthesis, spectral behaviour and microbiological properties of some di(nitrothienyl)sulfides

Six novel di)nitrothienyl)sulfides (I)-(VI) have been prepared either by condensation of suitable bromonitrothiophene derivatives with sodium sulfide or by hydrolysis of di-(3-nitro-2-thienyl)disulfide (XI), with ethanolic potassium hydroxide, followed by condensation of the resulting nitrothiophene thiolate with the appropriate bromonitrothiophenes. All compounds proved active, in vitro, against a number of gram-positive bacteria, at very low concentrations. Substitution of a thiophene nucleus by the benzene nucleus resulted in a decrease of activity. I.R. and U.V. spectral data are discussed.