Synthesis and biological activity of 2-(bis((1,3,4-oxadiazolyl/1,3,4-thiadiazolyl)methylthio)methylene)malononitriles.

The reactivity of ketene dithiolates in the presence of different equivalents of sodium ethoxide was studied. 2-(Bis((5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methylthio)methylene)malononitriles 5 and 2-(bis((5-aryl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)methylthio)methylene)malononitriles 6 were prepared by the reaction of malononitrile with carbon disulfide and 5-aryl-2-(chloromethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles 3/5-aryl-2-(chloromethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles 4. The preliminary antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the lead compounds were assayed.