Improved synthesis and in vitro study of antimicrobial activity of α,β-unsaturated and α-bromo carboxylic acids

Abstract

A series of ?,?-unsaturated and ?-bromo carboxylic acids were identified as potent antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using broth microdilution method. All acids 1-12 exhibit a significant activity against nine laboratory control strains of bacteria and two strains of yeast Candida albicans. The tested acids were efficiently prepared by optimized phase-transfer-catalyzed (PTC) reactions of ketones with bromoform and aqueous lithium hydroxide in alcoholic solvent with TEBA as catalyst.