Efficient Synthesis of 2-Aminopyridine Derivatives: Antibacterial Activity Assessment and Molecular Docking Studies

A new and suitable multicomponent one-pot reaction was developed for the synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyanopyridine derivatives. Background: This synthesis was demonstrated by the efficient and easy access to a variety of substituted 2-aminopyridines using enaminones as key precursors under solvent-free conditions. Methods: A range of spectroscopic techniques was used to determine and confirm the chemical structures (FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR). The antimicrobial potency of synthesized compounds (2a–d) was tested using disk diffusion assays, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for the active compounds was determined against a panel of microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. Moreover, a docking analysis was conducted by Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software to provide supplementary information about the potential, as well as an ADME-T prediction to describe the pharmacokinetic properties of the best compound and its toxicity. Results: The results of the antimicrobial activity indicated that compound 2c showed the highest activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly S. aureus and B. subtilis whose MIC values were 0.039 ± 0.000 µg·mL−1. The results of the theoretical study of compound 2c were in line with the experimental data and exhibited excellent antibacterial potential. Conclusions: On the basis of the obtained results, compound 2c can be used as an antibacterial agent model with high antibacterial potency.