Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Heterocyclic Chalcones

In a wide search program toward new antimicrobial agents, a seri of heterocyclic chalcones have been synthesized by condensing benzaldehyde derivatives with heteroarylmethylcetone in potassium hydroxide methanol according to the Claisen-Schmidt condensation at room temperature. The synthetic chalcones have been determined by IR spectroscopy and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The antimicro-bacterial activity of the novel products was evaluated against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosae, E. coli and fungi such as Candida albicans, dermatophytes. The result shows that pyridine moiety may show antibacterial effect stronger than that of thiophene or furan. Heterocyclic chalcones with hydroxyl group on B ring at position 2 or 3 are considered as lead compounds for generation of new potential antimicrobial drugs in future.