SYNTHESIS, CHEMICAL TRANSFORMATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF A NOVEL CLASS OF NITROOLEFINS - 1,3-DIARYL-2-NITROPROP-1-ENES

synthesis of novel, biologically active 1,3-diaryl-2-nitroprop-1-enes (4) is reported. The synthesis involves condensation between aromatic aldehydes (1) and beta-aryl nitroethanes (3). The chemical transformat ion of the nitro group in diaryl nitropropenes to a carbonyl function has resulted in a new route to the synthesis of an alpha-hydroxy analo g (7c) of a naturally occurring 3, 3'. 4, 4'-tetramethoxy chalcone. Th e antimicrobial activity of the 1, 3-diaryl-2-nitroprop-1-enes (4a-j) was tested against three gram positive bacteria, two gram negative bac teria and two fungi. These compounds exhibited broad spectrum and micr obial activity.