Synthesis, Biochemical Characterization, and Theoretical Studies of Novel β-Keto-enol Pyridine and Furan Derivatives as Potent Antifungal Agents

[Image: see text] In the present study, we report the design and synthesis of new derivatives of the β-keto-enol grafted on pyridine and furan moieties (L(1)–L(11)). Structures of compounds were fully confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, electrospray ionization/liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (ESI/LC-MS), and elemental analysis. The compounds were screened for antifungal and antibacterial activities (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus luteus). In vitro evaluation showed significant fungicidal activity for L(1), L(4), and L(5) against fungal strains (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp albedinis) compared to the reference standard. Especially, the exceptional activity has been demonstrated for L(1) with IC(50) = 12.83 μg/mL. This compound and the reference benomyl molecule also showed a correlation between experimental antifungal activity and theoretical predictions by Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration (POM) calculations and molecular coupling against the Fgb1 protein. The highest inhibition of bacterial growth for L(1) is due to its strongest binding to the target protein. This report may stimulate the further synthesis of examples of this substance class for the development of new drugs.