Synthesis of some hydroxamic acid derivatives of benzimidazole and their antibacterial and antifungal activities.

A number of 1H-benzimidazole-2-propanoic acid derivatives have been synthesized by Phillips method, and their antibacterial and antifungal activities have been tested. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic (IR, NMR, mass) and elementary analysis. Investigation of antimicrobial activity of the compounds was done by agar dilution technique using bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC 607) and yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida pseudotropicalis, Candida kruzei, Candida globrata). Among the compounds tested N-hydroxy-3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-propionamide (Compound 6) showed considerable activity against both Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis.