Synthesis and microbiological activity of some N-(o-hydroxyphenyl)benzamides and phenylacetamides as the possible metabolites of antimicrobial active benzoxazoles: part II.

The synthesis of some N-(o-hydroxyphenyl)benzamides and benzacetamides (2a-2p) in order to determine their in vitro antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria, three Gram-negative bacteria and the fungus Candida albicans is described. The new compounds were compared with several control drugs. The derivative 2g, 4-amino-N-(o-hydroxyphenyl)benzamide, was found active at an MIC value of 25 microg/ml against the Gram-negative microorganism Klebsiella pneumoniae. Most of the compounds exhibited antibacterial activity at an MIC value of 25 microg/ml against Pseudomonas aureginosa. For the antifungal activity against C. albicans, compounds 2e, 2h and 2m were found more active than the other derivatives (MIC 12.5 microg/ml). The antimicrobial activity of some of these benzamide and phenylacetamide derivatives (2a, 2b, 2f, 2g, 2h and 2k), possible metabolites of benzoxazoles, was also compared with that of the cyclic analogues 3-8. Compound 2f possesses two dilutions better antifungal activity than its cyclic analogue the benzoxazole derivative 5 against C. albicans, while having one dilution better antibacterial activity against Streptococcus faecalis and K. pneumoniae.