Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some novel 2-(p-substituted-phenyl)-5-substituted-carbonylaminobenzoxazoles

A series of 2-(p-substituted-phenyl)-5-substituted-carbonylamino benzoxazole derivatives (5-22) was synthesized and their antimicrobial activities determined in comparison to several control drugs. The synthesized compounds were tested in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis as Gram-positive, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative bacteria and the yeast Candida albicans. Microbiological results showed that the compounds possessed a diffuse spectrum of antibacterial activity against these microorganisms. Compound 9 which bears a phenylacetamido moiety at position 5 and a 4-fluorophenyl group at the 2-position of benzoxazole ring was the most active derivative against S. aureus, S. faecalis and P. aeruginosa with a MIC value of 12.5 microg/ml. Compound 11 provided higher potency than the other tested compounds against B. subtilis at a MIC value of 12.5 microg/ml. Compounds 5-22 showed antifungal activity against C. albicans with MIC values between 50 and 12.5 microg/ml.