Synthesis and investigation of antimicrobial activity of some bisbenzimidazole-derived chelating agents

The 1,2-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-1,2-ethanediol (1), 1,4-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetraol (2), 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-2-thiapropane (3), 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-2-thia-propane-dihydrochloride (4), 1,5-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-3-thiapentane (5), and 1,5-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-3-thiapentane dihydrochloride (6) chelating ligands are synthesised and characterised by using analytical data and modem spectroscopic methods such as FT-Raman, FT-IR, H-1- and C-13-NMR spectrometers. Their antimicrobial activities are reported by comparing the in vitro activities, with those of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, piperacillin, ampicillin and cefazolin antibacterial agents against fresh clinical isolates. Antifungal activities are reported on Candida albicans, Candida utilis, Cryptococcus neoformans fungi, and the results are referenced with amphotericin-B, fluconazole and flucytosine antifungal agents. It has been found that all the compounds have broad spectra activity and was either more active or equipotent to those compared antibiotic and antifungal agents. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.