Microwave assisted knoevenagel condensation: Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of some a-cyanoacrylates

Abstract

A series of α-cyanoacrylates (1-9) were prepared by Knoevenagel condensation of ethyl cyanoacetate with corresponding aromatic aldehydes in presence of ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) using microwave irradiation under solvent free condition. The reactions were completed in 20-60 sec with excellent yield. These compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities against five pathogenic organisms: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Vibrio cholerae, Shigella dysenteriae (AE 14396) and Salmonella typhi (AE 14612) and antifungal activity against two organisms: Aspergillus flavus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using disc diffusion method and poisoned-food technique, respectively. Some of them were found to possess significant activity, when compared to standard drugs.