Synthesis of some novel 4-arylidene pyrazoles as potential antimicrobial agents

BACKGROUND: Pyrazole and pyrazolone motifs are well known for their wide range of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. The incorporation of more than one pharmacophore in a single scaffold is a well known approach for the development of more potent drugs. In the present investigation, a series of differently substituted 4-arylidene pyrazole derivatives bearing pyrazole and pyrazolone pharmacophores in a single scaffold was synthesized. RESULTS: The synthesis of novel 4-arylidene pyrazole compounds is achieved through Knovenagel condensation between 1,3-diaryl-4-formylpyrazoles and 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-(4H)-ones in good yields. All compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSIONS: A series of 4-arylidene pyrazole derivatives was evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Escherichia coli), as well as two pathogenic fungal strains (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The majority of the compounds displayed excellent antimicrobial profile against the Gram-positive (B. subtilis and S. aureus), and some of them are even more potent than the reference drug ciprofloxacin.