Uses of 4,4-dicyano-3-phenyl-but-3-enoic acid phenylamide for the synthesis of new compounds: antimicrobial and textile finishing evaluations

Abstract

Purpose This work aims to synthesize a series of novel acyclic and/or heterocyclic systems, as precursors for dyes with potential antimicrobial activity that could be used for simultaneous dyeing and antimicrobial textile finishing. Thus, a series of novel pyridine, thiophene and pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives were synthesized, and their antimicrobial and textile finishing properties were studied and evaluated. Design/methodology/approach The synthesis, structure elucidation and antimicrobial activities of the newly synthesized compounds based on 4,4-dicyano-3-phenyl-but-3-enoic acid phenylamide (1) were demonstrated. The minimal inhibitory concentration in μg/mL of the compounds showed significant antimicrobial activity against most of the tested organisms. On the other hand, their spectral characteristics and fastness properties were measured and evaluated. Antimicrobial activities of the dyed fabrics in terms of inhibition zones (mm) were measured and evaluated. Findings A series of novel heterocyclic compounds (Schemes 1-3) were synthesized based on starting material (1). Compounds (1), 2, 4a, 8a and 9c exhibited comparable or even higher antibacterial activities than the selected standards (ampicillin), while compounds 2, 3c, 3d, 4a and 8b revealed higher antifungal activities than the selected standard (cycloheximide). On the other hand, some dyes showed high antimicrobial evaluation on the dyed fabrics (nylon 66, acetate and polyester) expressed as size (mm) of inhibition zones (Tables I-IV). Practical implications Results revealed that many hydrazo and azo derivatives were synthesized from some pyridines and thiophenes. The antimicrobial evaluation and textile finishing of the newly synthesized products revealed significant and potent values of antimicrobial activity. Originality/value All the synthesized compounds were novel and most of them exhibited higher antimicrobial activities than the selected standards antibiotics, thus are valuable for simultaneous dyeing and antimicrobial functional finishing of textile fabrics.