SYNTHESIS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CHALCONE DERIVATIVES OF INDOLE NUCLEUS

A series of previously unreported (2Z)-2-(1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(4-substituted phenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (5a - d) have been synthesized from easily accessible 2-(1H-indol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanone (3), which was obtained via a reaction of indole (1) with chloromethylphenyl ketone (2). The structures of the synthesized products have been elucidated using IR, H-1 NMR, and mass-spectroscopic data and elemental analyses. The final products were screened for their antimicrobial activity. Excellent results were obtained against both bacteria and fungi. In conclusion, we have developed a novel, convenient and simple method for the preparation of indole - chalcone hybrid compounds via the reaction of indole derivative with carbonyl compounds in the presence of a strong base. The rapid conversion, excellent yield, utilization of a base, and operational simplicity are great advantages of the proposed method.