Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 3-aryl-4-methoxy N-alkyl maleimides

Abstract

In the present investigation, a series of 3-aryl-4-methoxy <em>N</em>-alkyl maleimide<strong> 5a-l</strong> have been synthesized and screened for their antimicrobial activity against one Gram positive bacteria (<em>S. aureus</em>), one Gram negative bacteria (<em>E. coli</em>) and fungal strains (<em>C. albicans</em>, <em>C. tropicalis</em>, &nbsp;<em>A. niger</em> and <em>A. clavatus</em>). The structures of the compounds have been substantiated by their IR, NMR, mass and elemental analysis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of synthesized maleimides have been determined by broth microdilution method. Of the newly synthesized maleimides, compounds <strong>5c</strong>, <strong>5f</strong>, <strong>5h</strong>, <strong>5i</strong>, <strong>5k</strong> and <strong>5l</strong> registered significant activity against the tested microorganisms.