In Vitro Studies on the Antibacterial Actions of para-Aminomethylbenzenesulfonamide Derivatives

Early investigators apparently concluded on the basis of studies of a limited number of compounds that slight alterations or substitutions in the N4 position of sulfanilamide would reduce or inactivate completely the effects of the compounds against bacteria, both in vitro and in vivo. Subsequent studies therefore involved almost entirely a consideration of compounds in which additions were made in the N' position of the molecule. Substitution in the latter position by heterocyclic groups has resulted in the preparation of many commonly known sulfonamides, such as sulfapyridine, sulfathiazole, and sulfadiazine. Miller et al. (1940) synthesized and tested the chemotherapeutic value of a series