Synthesis of substituted N'-(3-oxo-1,3-diphenylpropyl)isonicotinohydrazide and evaluation of their antimicrobial activities

Abstract Background Chalcones are versatile intermediates widely used in synthesizing heterocyclic compounds due to their diverse pharmacological potential. ß-amino ketones, derived from chalcones, are valuable in medicinal chemistry as intermediates for bioactive molecules. This study focuses on the synthesis of substituted N'-(3-oxo-1,3-diphenylpropyl)isonicotinohydrazides via an Aza-Michael reaction, using substituted chalcones and isoniazid. Results The synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral data (UV–visible, FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and elemental analysis). Antimicrobial activities were evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungal strains using the standard disk diffusion method. Specifically, compound 5a exhibited a 32 mm zone of inhibition against Panysallium notatum and a 15 mm zone of inhibition against Trichoderma harzianum, which were superior to the standard commercial antifungal agent miconazole (15 mm and 10 mm, respectively). Conclusion The study successfully synthesized and characterized ß-amino ketones derived from substituted chalcones and isoniazid. Among the synthesized compounds, 5a displayed remarkable antifungal activity, compared with the standard antifungal agent, miconazole. This highlights its potential as a lead compound for developing new antifungal agents.