Pradeep K Soni* and Anand K Halve
Department of Chemistry, Jiwaji University, India
*Corresponding author:Pradeep K. Soni, School of Studies in Chemistry, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India– 474011
Submission: September 25, 2017;Published: November 13, 2017
ISSN: 2576-9170 Volume1 Issue2
A library of azomethines SB1-SB10 has been synthesized by the condensation of 3,3’-((4-formyl-3-methoxyphenyl)azanediyl)dipropanenitrile (C) with aniline, fluoro-, chloro- and bromo- anilines. Azomethines at the imine linkage on reaction with chloroacetylchloride and triethylamines in 1,4-dioxan afforded a series of novel β-lactams BL1-BL10. 3,3’-((4-formyl-3-methoxyphenyl)azanediyl) dipropanenitrile (C) was synthesized by cyanoethylation of the m-anisidine followed by formylation in presence of POCl3 and DMF. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR and 1HNMR data and screened in-vitro for their activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, P. vulgaris, E. coli, A. niger and A. fumigatus. Most of the compounds showed significant activity against microorganisms tested.
Keywords: β-lactams; Azomethines; Tertiary-amino-benzaldehyde; Cyanoethylation; Antimicrobial activity
Abbreviations: RAND: Research and Development; Anti-MHV: Anti-Mouse Hepatitis Virus; HSV-1: Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1; AD-5: Adenovirus Type-5; DMSO: Dimethyl Sulfoxide; MIC: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration; DMF: Dimethyl Formamide; TMS: Tetramethyl Silane
Pathogenic micro-organisms have been engaged in an evolutionary battle with the humans and animals since the dawn of time. Every time a new developed antimicrobial resistance is followed. This is posing a serious challenge to scientific community and greatest threat to human health. Antibiotic resistance has increased dramatically in the last few decades. Most of the antibiotics currently in use were discovered in the ‘Golden era’ of antibiotics. World Health Organization [1] has declared that “The world is moving towards a post-antibiotic era in which common infections will once again kill”. By estimation of the RAND (Research and Development) Corporation 10 million people world-wide could die from resistant micro-organisms in 2050 which is more than from cancer. There is always need for the safer antibacterial agents and research efforts are going on for developing better and more effective antibacterial agents. Antimicrobial agents containing β-lactams has become an integral part of the chemotherapeutic arsenal available to today’s medical practitioners. Azomethines and their derivatives has been a research subject [2] due to their pharmacological applications [3,4] and striking complex-metric behaviour. These properties allow them to play a pivotal role in various biological activities [5,6] viz. Anti-bacterial [7] antiviral [8], antifungal [9], anthelmintic [10], anti-amoebic [11], antiinflammatory [12], analgesic [13], anti-mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) [14], inhibition of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), adenovirus type-5 (AD-5) [15] anti-malarial [16] and herbicidal [17] activities. β-Lactams are well-known heterocyclic compounds among the organic and medicinal chemists. Biological activities of the famous antibiotics such as penicillin’s, cephalosporins and carbapenems are attributed to the presence of β-lactam ring in them. Some other types of biological activity besides the antibacterial activity have been reported in compounds containing β-lactams ring [18]. Such biological activities include antimicrobial [19], anti-tubercular [20], carbonic anhydrase inhibitors [21], anticonvulsant [22], anti-inflammatory [23], anthelmintic [24] and hypoglycaemic activities [25]. The β-lactams also serve as synthase for biologically important classes of organic compounds [26]. We have also prepared some azomethines and β-lactams containing cyanoethyl groups previously displaying good antimicrobial activities [27]. Azomethines formed by 3,3’-((4-formyl phenyl) azanediyl)dipropanenitrile and their stable complexes with some metals have been reported by Arora et al. [28]. A new series of complexes of dioxo-uranium (IV) with the azomethines (E)-3,3’-((4- ((phenylimino)methyl)phenyl)azanediyl)dipropanenitrile derived from N-[(4-N’N-bis-(2’cyanoethyl aminobenzylideneamino] benzaldehyde and aniline were prepared by Arora et al. [29] It is well known that the introduction of fluorine atom into an organic
molecule causes dramatic changes in its biological activity profile, mainly due to high electro negativity of fluorine, the strong carbonfluorine bond and increased solubility in lipids. Azomethines containing chloro and cyano groups display enhanced antibacterial activities [30]. It was thought worthwhile to incorporate cyanoethyl moiety and halogen groups to the β-lactam nucleus and study invitro their biological potential.Melting points were determined in an open capillary tube and are uncorrected. The chemicals and solvents used were of laboratory grade and were purified further. Completion of the reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography on pre-coated sheets of 25 DC alufolin Kieselgel 60 F254 silica gel 60 F254 (Merck) using UV-vis florescence analysis chamber for detection. FT-IR spectra were recorded in KBr on a Perkin-Elmer spectrophotometer-2. 1HNMR spectra were recorded in DMSO-d6 with an advanced spectrophotometer (Bruker) at 400-MHz frequency using TMS as an internal standard. Elemental analyses were performed on a Perkin-Elmer-240, elemental analyzer. All the synthesized compounds were purified by re-crystallization in ethanol.
Cyanoethylation of m-anisidine; Formation of 3,3’-((3-methoxyphenyl) azanediyl) dipropanenitrile: A mixture of freshly distilled m-anisidine (0.1mol), acrylonitrile (0.4mol) glacial acetic acid (0.33mol) and freshly prepared cuprous chloride (1.5g) were gently refluxed for twelve hours. The liquid mixture was cooled and poured with stirring into liquor ammonia (100ml) and mixture was left aside overnight. The solid formed was washed well with water till free from copper salts. The solid was filtered and re-crystallized from ethanol when 3,3’-((3-methoxyphenyl)azanediyl)dipropanenitrile was obtained as colourless needles.
Formylation of 3,3’-((3-methoxyphenyl)azanediyl) dipropanenitrile; Formation of 3,3’-((4-formyl-3- methoxyphenyl)azanediyl)dipropanenitrile(C): N’N-bis-2’- cyanoethyl-m-anisidine (0.04 mol) was slowly added to a cooled mixture of phosphorous oxy-chloride (0.04 mol) and dimethyl formamide (0.16 mol) taken in a round bottomed flask provided with a mechanical stirrer and a reflux condenser carrying a calcium chloride guard tube. The contents were heated on a steam bath for three hours while the mixture was stirred. The dark mixture was cooled and poured over crushed ice and the solution neutralised with crystalline sodium acetate the content were set aside overnight; when the solid product separated out. It was filtered under suction, washed well with water and recrystallized from ethanol when the aldehyde (C) was obtained as light yellow needles. Elemental analysis data of 3,3’-((4-formyl-3-methoxyphenyl) azanediyl)dipropanenitrile (C): Molecular Formula; C14 H15 N3O2, Yield 64.14%, Elements; Required (Found %): C 65.35(64.90), H 5.88(5.73), N 16.33(16.02). Spectral data; Groups (FT-IR absorption frequencies cm-1 in KBr): CHO (1676.5), N-CH2 (2249.1), CH2CN (2744.2) OCH3(1716.5), CH (Ar)(2971.8). 1H NMR-Spectra in DMSO-d6: Protons signal groups (δ ppm): 3HS OCH3(3.828), 4HT CH2CN(2.795-2.829), 4HT CH2CH2CN(3.814-3.848), 1HD Ar(6.996- 7.018), 1HS Ar(7.216), 1HD Ar(7.717-7.739), 1HS CHO (9.734).
Solution of an aldehyde (C) (0.0103 mol) and appropriate amine (0.0103 mol) in ethanol with 1-2 drops of concentrated H2SO4, were refluxed over eight hours, mixture was cooled overnight and transferred into crushed ice with addition of 1-2 drops of concentrated sulphuric acid. After one hour precipitate was obtained by filtration and washing two times with distilled water, dried into air and re-crystallized with ethanol, azomethines obtained as yellow crystals. Elemental analysis of (Z)-3,3’-((4- (((2-fluorophenyl)imino)methyl)-3-methoxy-phenyl)-azanediyl) dipropanenitrile (Azomethine-SB2): Molecular Formula; C20H19FN4O, Yield 54.18% Elements; Required (Found %); C 68.56(68.26), H 5.47(5.36), N 15.99(15.42). Spectral data; Groups (FT-IR absorption frequencies cm-1 in KBr): C=N (1679.6), N-CH2- (2249.1), CH2-CN(2744.2), OCH3(1760.5), CH Ar (2973.6). 1H NMRSpectra in DMSO-d6: Proton signal groups (δ ppm) 3HS OCH3 (3.801), 4HT CH2CN(2.781-2.816), 4HT CH2CH2CN(3.795-3.829), 1HS Ar(6.752), 1HD Ar(6.758-6.822), 2HD Ar(7.628-7.650), 3HD (3) Ar(8.754-8.853), 1H CH=N(9.935).
Table 1:Physical data of azomethines (SB1-SB10).
A mixture of azomethines (0.0047mol) and tri-ethylamine (0.0047mol) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (50mL) with stirring and cooled. Chloroacetylchloride (0.0047mol) was added drop wise within a period of 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred further for 8-12 hours at 50-70⁰C. The reaction mixture was concentrated, cooled and poured into crushed ice and water, after one hour solid precipitate was filtered and washed with water and then air dried. The product thus obtained was re-crystallized using ethanol. β-lactams were obtained as dark coloured crystals. Elemental analysis data of 3-[{4-[3-chloro- 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-oxoazetidin-2-yl]-3-methoxyphenyl} (2-isocyanoethyl)amino]propanenitrile (β-lactam BL2): Molecular Formula; C22H20ClFN4O2, Yield 63.31%, Elements; Required (Found %); C 61.90(60.36), H 4.72(4.26), N 13.12 (12.01). Spectral data; Groups (FT-IR absorption frequencies in cm-1 KBr): C=O(1749.2), OCH3 (1605.2), CH2-C-CN(2249.1), CH2CN(2039.9), CH-Ar(2981.7). 1H NMR spectra in DMSO-d6: Protons signals (Groups) (δ ppm) 4HT CH2CN(2.810-2.844), 4HT CH2CH2CN(3.829-3.864), 3HS OCH3(3.929), 1HD CH of β-lactam Ring (5.232-5.253), 1HD CHCl of β-lactam Ring (5.631-5.659), 1HS Ar(6.379), 1HD Ar(6.479- 6.483), 1HD Ar(7.531-7.553), 1HD Ar(8.689), 1HD Ar(8.747), 1HT Ar(8.884), 1HT Ar(8.921) (Table 1,2).
Table 2:Physical data of β-lactams (BL1-BL10).
All the synthesized azomethines SB1-SB10 and β-lactams BL1-BL10 were subjected to in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing against Stayphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis (Gram “+”ve) Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli (Gram “-”ve); bacterial and Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus fungal strains in order to determine their efficacy and structure-activity relationship taking ampicillin as broad-spectrum antibacterial and fluconazole as an anti-fungal standard drugs. The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized compounds were studied by disc diffusion method. The serial dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the synthesized compounds. DMSO was used as the negative control solvent for the compounds. Few colonies of organisms in 2-5mL nutrient Mueller-Hinton agar medium (for bacterial strains) and Sabourauds broth (for fungal strains) were grown for 2.5h. After the inoculums dried, 6mm diameter wells were made in the agar plate with a sterile cork borer. The compounds were dissolved in DMF at concentration of 300μg/ mL. The Petri plates were incubated at 37 ˚C for 24hours. The Zone of inhibition was measured in mm to estimate the potency of the test compounds.
All the compounds SB1-SB10 and BL1-BL10 were synthesized according to Figure 1 and subjected to in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing against Stayphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus strains in order to determine structureactivity relationship taking ampicillin and fluconazole as broadspectrum antibacterial and antifungal standard drugs respectively. The zone of inhibition around the disc against the tested pathogens was determined at 300 μg/mL concentration by disc diffusion assay.
Table 3:Results of the in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing observed in azomethines.
Figure 1:Route for the synthesis of azomethines and β-lactams.
It is clearly evident from Table 3 that azomethine SB4 bearing p-fluoro group exhibited good activity against the microorganisms used in the present study in order S. Aureus > E. coli = P. vulgaris > A. fumigatus > B. subtilis > A. niger. Moreover this compound shows clear zone of inhibition of 24mm (against S. Aureus), 23mm (against E. coli and P. vulgaris), 20mm (against A. fumigatus), 18mm (against B. subtilis) and 17mm (against A. niger).
Compound SB7 (Table 3) bearing p-chloro group exhibited moderate activity against tested microorganisms in order P. vulgaris > A. fumigatus > S. aureus > A. niger = B. subtilis > E. coli slight lesser than p-fluoro substituted compounds. This compound showed clear zone of inhibition of 23mm (against P. vulgaris), 22mm (against A. fumigatus), 20mm (S. aureus) 19mm (against A. niger and B. subtilis) 18mm (against E. coli).
Table 4 shows the antimicrobial screening results of β-lactam derivatives which clearly indicate that compound BL4 (Table 4) bearing p-fluoro group exhibited better activity against the tested microorganisms in order S. aureus > P. vulgaris > E. coli > B. subtilis > A. niger > A. fumigatus with clear zone of inhibition of 27mm (against S. aureus), 26mm (against P. vulgaris), 25mm (against E. coli), 23mm (against B. subtilis), 22mm (against A. niger) and 20mm (against A. fumigatus).
Table 4:Results of the in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing observed in azomethines.
Amp = Ampicillin, Fluc = Fluconazole, DMSO = Dimethylsulphoxide; Concentration = 300μg/mL
It is also indicated by Table 4 that compound BL7 bearing p-fluoro group exhibited good activity against the tested microorganisms in order E. coli > B. subtilis > A. niger > P. vulgaris > A. fumigatus > S. aureus with clear zone of inhibition of 25mm (against E. coli), 22mm (against B. subtilis), 21mm (against A. niger) 20mm (against P. vulgaris) 19mm (against S. aureus and A. fumigatus) (Figure 1).
The study demonstrates that a series of azomethines and novel β-lactams were synthesized from 3,3’-((4-formyl-3- methoxyphenyl)azanediyl)dipropanenitrile by the condensation with corresponding aromatic amine. Novel β-lactams were derived by electro cyclization at the imine linkage of azomethines and were evaluated as bioactive agents. The newly synthesized compounds exhibited promising antimicrobial activity using disc diffusion method. The studies showed significant activity as compared to standard. It can be concluded that this class of compounds holds promise towards good active leads in medicinal chemistry. These efforts creates opening of a new interest in this class of compounds in the field of antimicrobials.
Authors are grateful to Defence Research Development Establishment (DRDE) and ITM University, Gwalior for spectral analysis.
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