Antimicrobial Activity of Natural 2-Benzoxazolinones and Related Derivatives

Abstract

Natural 2-benzoxazolinones BOA and MBOA and related synthetic derivatives inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Both the electrophilic character of the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring and the lipophilic character of the substituents of the aromatic ring are involved in the antifungal activity. These two effects are evaluated by the shift of the infrared N-H frequencies and by the correlation between the antifungal activity and the π parameter, respectively.