Synthesis and antibacterial and antifungal evaluation of some chalcone based sulfones and bisulfones

Two series of chalcone based sulfone and bisulfone derivatives were synthesized using chalcone, thiophenol and sodium metal at room temperature, followed by oxidation of chalcone sulfides with m-CPBA at 0 degrees C in a novel method. Both sulfones and bisulfones were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans (yeast), Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram (+) bacteria) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium (Gram (-) bacteria) strains. Among them, compounds 2c, 3c, 6c, 7c, 8c and 9c have shown high antifungal activity against C albicans compare to reference drugs viz. Amphotericin-B and Nystatin. Compound 1c has shown slightly better antibacterial activity against B. subtilis and compounds 5c, 6c and 7c have shown excellent antibacterial activity against S. typhimurium in compare to reference drugs Ampicillin and Kanamycin. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.