Claims for Patent: 4,128,659

Summary for Patent: 4,128,659

Title:	Antimicrobial polycyclic nitrofurans
Abstract:	2-Nitrobenzofurans in which the furan ring is either fused to or substituted by a fused bicyclic system, which are active as antimicrobial agents, processes for their use and intermediates therefor are described.
Inventor(s):	Scherrer; Robert A. (White Bear Lake, MN), Stern; Richard M. (Cottage Grove, MN)
Assignee:	Riker Laboratories, Inc. (Northridge, CA)
Application Number:	05/861,893
Patent Claims:	1. A compound of the formula ##STR4## wherein X and X' are individually hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or carboxyl, Y is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, carboxyl, carboxymethyl or, together with Z, can form a propylene chain, Z and Z' are individually hydrogen or together can complete a benzo ring, provided that the compound contains one and only one of the rings including Y and Z, and Z and Z', and provided further that the compound contains not more than a single carboxyl function, and, when the compound contains a carboxyl function, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 2. A compound according to claim 1 of the formula ##STR5## wherein x and x' are individually hydrogen, halogen or carboxyl, Y is hydrogen, halogen or carboxyl, provided that the compound contains not more than a single carboxyl function and, when the compound contains a carboxyl function, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 3. A method for arresting or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms comprising contacting microorganisms with a compound according to claim 1 in an amount sufficient to arrest or inhibit the growth of said microorganisms.