Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of new 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)benzoylthioureas

New acylthiourea derivatives, 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)-N-(phenylcarbamothioyl)benzamides, were tested by qualitative and quantitative methods on various bacterial and fungal strains and proved to be active at low concentrations against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. These compounds were prepared by the reaction of 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)benzoyl isothiocyanate with various primary aromatic amines, and were characterised by melting point and solubility. The structures were identified by elemental analysis, H-1 and C-13 NMR, and IR spectral data. The level of antimicrobial activity of the new 2-((4-ethylphenoxy)methyl)benzoylthiourea derivatives was dependent on the type, number and position of the substituent on the phenyl group attached to thiourea nitrogen. The iodine and nitro substituents favoured the antimicrobial activity against the Gram-negative bacterial strains, while the highest inhibitory effect against Gram-positive and fungal strains was exhibited by compounds with electron-donating substituents such as the methyl and ethyl groups. (C) 2011 Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences