Synthesis, Antimicrobial Evaluation, and Structure Activity Relationship Studies of New Biphenyl-2-Carbonitrile Clubbed 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives

Aseries of biphenyl-2-carbonitile clubbed 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives have been synthesized by the condensation of biphenyl-2-carbonitrile with various substituted 2-mercapto-5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds IVa - IVh were characterized using FTIR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. All the compounds were screened for their antimicrobial properties against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi. It was very clearly noted from SAR study that the derivatives bearing electron-withdrawing functional groups (-NO2, -Cl) were more promising than the derivatives with electron-donating group (-CH3) as antimicrobial agents.