Photoconductivity, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Some Acenaphthenequinone Derivatives

Photoconductive acenaphthenequinone derivatives have been synthesized by a one-pot process of acenaphthenequinone with different aromatic hydrazides (nicotinic, isonicotinic, 2-thiophenecarboxylic, 2-furoic, 3-methoxybenzoic, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic, and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic). Their structures are supported by elemental analysis, H-1 and C-13 NMR, IR, and MS spectroscopy. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements reveal that the compounds demonstrate photoresponse upon illumination by light of intensities 1000 and 10000 W/m(2). The photoconductivity behaviors of the derivatives is enhanced in the presence of electron donor groups attached to the aromatic ring. Thereby, these products may be used in material devices as organic thin film transistors, on/off sensors, etc. The antioxidant activity of the products has been tested by DPPH radical scavenging method in vitro, indicates their significant potential. Antimicrobial activity of the derivatives has been estimated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, mg/mL) using the micro-broth dilution method. The compounds are moderately active against some Gram positive bacteria and Candida albicans and completely inactive against Gram negative bacteria tested.