Alumina-supported synthesis of antibacterial quinolines using microwaves

7-(5'-Alkyl-1',3',4'-thiadiazol/oxadiazol-2'-ylthio)-6-fluoro-2,4-dimethylq uinolines and 3-formyl-2-(2'-hydroxy-1',4'-naphthoquinon-3'-yl)-4-melhyl/6- methyl/7 have been synthesised by the reaction of 5-alkyl-1,3,3-thiadiazol/ oxadiazol-2-thiols with 7-chloro-6-fluoro-2,4-dimethylquinoline and by the reaction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone with 2-chloro-3-formyl-4-methyl/6- methyl/7-methyl/8-methylquinoline respectively on basic alumina using micro waves, the reaction time has been brought down from hours to seconds with i mproved yield as compared to conventional heating. The compounds were teste d for their in vitro antibacterial activity. All compounds showed promising antibacterial activity. The best activity was observed by compounds 3a and 3f. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.