Physicochemical and biological characterization of novel macrocycles derived from o-phthalaldehyde

A series of novel macrocyclic compounds were synthesized by the condensation of o-phthalaldehyde with aromatic amino alcohols followed by treatment with 1,2-dibromoethane or 1,3-dibromopropane in non-template method. The structural features of the isolated macrocycles have been determined from the microanalytical, IR, H-1, C-13 NMR and mass spectral studies. Antimicrobial activities of these macrocyclic compounds were tested against the Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria and found to exhibit potential antibacterial activity. The macrocycles were also tested in vitro to evaluate their activity against fungi, namely, Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and Fusarium species. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.