Synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial activity of new 3-(2-morpholinoquinolin-3-yl) substituted acrylonitrile and propanenitrile derivatives

A series of new 3-(2-morpholinoquinolin-3-yl)acrylonitrile derivatives (IVa-IVf) has been synthesised by the base-catalysed condensation reaction of 2-morpholinoqionoline-3-carboxaldehydes (IIa-IIc) and 2-cyanomethylbenzimidazoles (IIIa-IIIb). Subsequent regiospecific reduction of the C—C double bond in acrylonitrile moiety afforded 3-(2-morpholinoquinolin-3-yl)propanenitrile derivatives (Va-Vf). All the compounds synthesised were subjected to in vitro antimicrobial screening against some representatives of bacteria and fungi. The majority of the compounds were found to be active against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium tetani as well as against the fungal pathogen Candida albicans.