Synthesis of novel spirooxindole derivatives by one pot multicomponent reaction and their antimicrobial activity

A series of novel spirooxindoles have been synthesized through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an azomethine ylide generated from isatin and sarcosine or L-proline with the dipolarophile 1,4-naphthoquinone followed by spontaneous dehydrogenation. Synthesised compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against eight bacteria and three fungi. All the spirooxindole derivatives exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, S. aureus (MRSA), Enterobacter aerogens, Micrococcus luteus, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella paratyphi-B and anti-fungal activity against Malassesia pachydermatis, Candida albicans and Botyritis cinerea organisms. Among 23 compounds screened, 1'-acetyl-2,5'-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrospiro[benzo[f] isoindole-1,3'-indoline]-2',4,9-trione was found to be more active against tested bacteria and fungi. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.