Synthesis and antifungal activity of 6-hydroxycinnolines

6-Hydroxycinnolines 2 and cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione derivatives 6 were synthesized and tested for in vitro antifungal activity against Candida and Aspergillus species. 6-Hydroxycinnolines 2 showed, in general, more potent antifungal activity against Candida species than the other cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-diones. The results suggest that 6-hydroxycinnolines would be potent antifungal agents.