Synthesis, characterization, and screening for the antimicrobial activity of 2-(3-(2-cyano-2-(p-tolylamino)vinyl)-1H-indol-1-yl)-N-arylacetamide derivatives

Herein is described an account of research work that focuses on synthesis of some novel alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds. To afford 2-(3-(2-cyano-2-(p-tolylamino)vinyl)-1H-indol-1-yl)-N-arylacetamide derivatives, Knoevenagel condensation of 2-(3-formyl-1H-indol-1-yl)-N-arylacetamides and 2-cyano-N-(4-methylphenyl) acetamide have been carried out. 2-(3Formyl-1H-indol-1-yl)-N-arylacetamides have been easily derived by employing indole-3-carbaldehyde with 2-chloro-Narylacetamides. All the synthesized compounds have been characterized using analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The biological activity of all the synthesized compounds have been evaluated against a series of bacterial and fungal strains (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Rhizopus oryzae, and Aspergillus parasiticus). Among the synthesized compounds 5e, 5g and 5h demonstrate excellent to moderate antibacterial activity when compared to standard drugs such as ampicillin and streptomycin. Whereas 5e exhibits antifungal property as compared to standard drug nystatin.