Antimicrobial evaluation of some Mannich bases of acetophenones and representative quaternary derivatives.

1-Aryl-3-dimethylamino-1-propanone hydrochlorides Ia-f (series I) as mono-Mannich bases bis(beta-aroylethyl)ethylamine hydrochlorides IIa, IIb, IId, IIe (series II) as bis-Mannich bases, 3-aroyl-4-aryl-1-ethyl-4-piperidinol hydrochlorides (structural isomer of bis derivatives IIIa-e, series III), and some of their representative quaternary salts (Ig, IIIf, IIIg) were synthesized. Antimicrobial activities of the compounds were evaluated against some bacteria and fungi. Series I and III showed antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria. All series demonstrated activity against fungi, however, they generally did not affect gram negative bacteria at the concentration range tested (2-64 micrograms/ml). Quaternisation procedure improved the bioactivity in compound IIIa for antibacterial activity and in compounds IIIa and IIIb for antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum and Mycosporium canis. There was no relationship between Hammett values of the aryl substituents and bioactivities in series III. The mono-Mannich bases of series I had better antimicrobial activities than bis-Mannich bases of series II. Compounds Ia, If, IIId had equal and compounds If and IIIf had higher antibacterial activities compared to the reference drug, streptomycin (CAS 57-92-1), against various gram positive bacteria. On the other hand, compounds Ia, IIIa, IIIc, IIIe, IIIf, and IIIg had equal and If, IIId, IIIf, IIIg had higher antifungal activity compared to the reference drug, amphotericin-B (CAS 1397-89-3), against various fungi. To conclude, the compounds of series III, having both marked antifungal and antibacterial activities, may serve as candidate compounds for further studies. Especially compound IIIf may serve as a model compound to develop new agents against dermatophytes.