Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some New Substituted Quinoxalines.

A number of new symmetrically and asymmetrically 2,3-disubstituted quinoxalines were synthesized through functionalization of 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline (2,3-DCQ) with a variety of sulfur and/or nitrogen nucleophiles. The structures of the obtained compounds were established based on their spectral data and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial activity for the prepared compounds was investigated against four bacterial species and two fungal strains. The symmetrically disubstituted quinoxalines 2, 3, 4, and 5 displayed the most significant antibacterial activity, while compounds 6a, 6b, and the pentacyclic compound 10 showed considerable antifungal activity. Furthermore, compounds 3f, 6b showed broad antimicrobial spectrum against most of the tested strains.

1. Introduction

The quinoxaline nucleus is one of the most important heterocyclic scaffolds. Quinoxalines exist in several different biologically active compounds including some antibiotics such as levomycin, actinoleutin and echinomycin which are known to be active against several transplantable tumors [1]. Beside that they have different applications in many fields such as agricultural [2], fluorescent materials [3], dyes [4], electroluminescent materials [5], organic semiconductors [6], organic light emitting devices [7], and medicinal chemistry. Various synthetic quinoxalines exhibit miscellaneous therapeutic applications in medicinal research such as anticancer [8,9,10], anti-inflammatory [9,11], antiviral [12,13], antidiabetic [14,15], antidepressant [16], anthelmintic [2], antituberculosis [17], antibacterial [18,19], and antiprotozoal [20,21]. Two clinical examples for drugs containing quinoxaline are illustrated in Figure 1. Namely, chlorosulfaquinoxaline [22] and R-(+)-XK469 [23]. The former drug has immunosuppressive activity and potential antineoplastic activity [24] the second one is an anticancer drug that has activity against solid tumors [25]. Furthermore, quinoxalines are used in the agricultural field as herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides [2]. Thus, due to this diversity of useful applications for quinoxalines, scientists pay much attention to the classical synthetic methods, their modification, and for new methods for synthesizing quinoxalines to ensure the availability of more functionalized quinoxalines.

Figure 1

Examples for drugs containing quinoxaline moiety.

Organosulfur compounds are well defined as organic molecules having one or more carbon-sulfur bonds. These compounds constitute very diverse chemical structures and display several bioactive properties as well as antimicrobial; the antimicrobial activity of some organosulfur compounds has been reported against a wide spectrum of fungi, bacteria, and viruses [26]. Some of these organosulfur compounds are also used in the treatment of various types of tumors caused by Helicobacter pylori along with gastric ulcers. Moreover, existence of sulfur and nitrogen usually improve the efficiency of some compounds for the treatment of several types of fungal, bacterial, and different pathogen causing diseases [27,28,29]. Recently, antimicrobial activity of trisubstituted quinoxaline derivatives has been reported [19]. It was observed that 4-triflouromethylanilino, 4-hydroxyanilino or phenylthio groups at positions 2 and/or 3 of quinoxaline ring are responsible for good to moderate antibacterial activity. However, pipridino or morpholino groups at these positions reduced the antibacterial activity. Furthermore, most of tested quinoxalines showed moderate to weak antifungal activity. Inspired and motivated by these findings and by the importance of sulfur and nitrogen containing compounds, we tried to improve the antimicrobial activity of quinoxaline by its functionalization with sulfur and/or nitrogen. In order to identify new candidates that may be of value in designing new, selective, and less toxic antimicrobial agents. Herein we report our results on functionalization of quinoxaline with a variety of sulfur and nitrogen nucleophiles using classical methods and testing the products for their biological activities.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Chemistry

Among the different methods for synthesizing symmetrically 2,3-disubstituted quinoxalines, there are two common methods widely used. The first one includes cyclocondensation reaction between symmetric alpha diketone such as benzil derivatives and o-phenylenediamine [30,31,32]. In general, this procedure needs use of a strong acid catalyst, high temperature, and long reaction times. Moreover, the main drawback of this method is its scope, which is limited to the synthesis of dialkyl or diaryl quinoxaline. The second method involves nucleophilic substitution reaction between 2,3-DCQ and nucleophiles [19]. This method has broader scope due to the availability of the starting materials and the ease of their preparation. In the current work, a number of symmetrically 2,3- disubstituted quinoxalines have been prepared through simple nucleophilic displacement on 2,3-DCQ using either sulfur or nitrogen nucleophiles affording products 2a–e and 3a–g, respectively as shown in Scheme 1. The yields of the reaction varied from good to excellent yield. The starting compound 1 was prepared by cyclocondensation reaction between o-phenylenediamine and oxalic acid in strong acidic medium, to give quinoxaline-2,3-dione [33]. Which, on subsequent chlorination with thionyl chloride or phosphorus oxychloride afforded the desired starting 2,3-DCQ 1. The S-aryl or NH-aryl groups of the products 2a–e and 3a–g, respectively, bear a variety of substituents including halogens (F, Br, and Cl), alkyl and alkoxy groups. Infrared spectrum of products 3a–g showed bands in the region 3200–3300 cm−1 that can be ascribed to the absorption characteristic for N-H stretching. Moreover, proton NMR (DMSO-d6) of 3a–g revealed broad D2O-exchangeable singlets at δ 11.93, 9.63, 9.16, 8.92, 9.85, 8.84, and 8.87 ppm, respectively, due to the existence of NH protons. The infrared spectrum of products 2e, 3d–g, and 4 exhibited absorption bands at 2916–2999 cm−1 corresponding to the aliphatic C-H stretching. The methyl groups of compounds 2e, 3d, 3e, 3g, and 3f were displayed in both proton and 13C-NMR spectrum. Accordingly, methyl protons of 2e, 3d revealed peaks in 1H-NMR at δ 2.42, 2.30 ppm, respectively. Additionally, 13C-NMR spectrum of 2e, 3d exhibited signals at δ 21.28, 20.51 ppm respective to their methyl carbon. The methyl groups of 3e showed two singlets in 1H-NMR at 2.23 and 2.26 ppm and two signals in 13C-NMR at 18.89 and 19.72 ppm. However, the methoxy groups of 3g were observed in 1H-NMR spectrum as more deshielded singlets at 3.76 and 3.81 ppm and in 13C-NMR spectrum as two signals at 55.78 and 55.40 ppm. 1H-NMR spectrum of 3f exhibited a singlet at 3.76 ppm attributable to methoxy protons. Furthermore, methoxy carbon of 3f appeared as a signal at 55.22 ppm in 13C-NMR. The formation of compound 4 has been confirmed by the two singlets that appeared in 1H-NMR at 11.50, 4.17 ppm due to COOH and CH2, respectively. Additionally, 13C-NMR of 4 showed two signals at 169.53 and 32.49 ppm corresponding to the carbons of the carboxymethyl moiety (CH2COOH). Furthermore, Conformation of the symmetrical structures of the products (2a–e, 3a–g, and 4) has been achieved mainly through NMR spectroscopic data. As it is well known that symmetry-equivalent atoms must absorb at the same chemical shift. Accordingly, due to the molecular symmetry of the products (2a–e, 3a–g, and 4) their quinoxaline moiety showed up two peaks in proton NMR and two quaternary carbons in 13C-APT-NMR. As a prototype, the 13C-APT-NMR of compound 2a in DMSO-d6 revealed the presence of three quaternary carbons at 128.70, 140.37, and 153.73 ppm. The last two peaks (153.73 and 140.37 ppm) were assigned to the quaternary carbons of the quinoxaline moiety of 2a, while the peak that appeared at 128.70 ppm was referred to as the ipso quaternary carbon of the thiophenyl ring. Nevertheless, the different environments for the protons or carbons of non-symmetrical structures (5, 6a,b, 7, 8, 9a–f, and 10) led to appearance of four protons and four quaternary carbons corresponding to their quinoxaline moiety as illustrated in Figure 2.

Scheme 1

Synthesis of sym. 2,3-disubstituted quinoxaline.

Figure 2

Quinoxaline moiety of 2a showed only two protons and two quaternary carbon in NMR. 6b showed four different types of protons and four different quaternary carbons, which correspond to its quinoxaline moiety.

As an extension to this study, a variety of asymmetrically 2,3-disubstituted quinoxaline containing sulfur and/or nitrogen substituents have been synthesized (Scheme 2). One of the challenges of this work was how to find a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of asym. disubstituted quinoxalines. In a previously reported method, vinylic substitution reaction occurred between 1,1-dimethylsulfanyl-2-nitroethene and appropriate aniline derivative to afford (N-(1-(methylthio)-2-nitrovinyl)aniline which on subsequent reductive cyclization gave 2-chloro-3-(methylthio)quinoxaline [34] as a precursor for transformation into asym. disubstituted quinoxalines. However, a more convenient approach for the synthesis of these quinoxaline derivatives is the substitution of one of the chlorines at the 2- or 3-position of 2,3-DCQ by nucleophiles. The reaction was conducted at room temperature with continuous stirring to avoid occurrence of double substitution on 1. Consequently, 2,3-DCQ was allowed to react with 4-chloroaniline, thiophenol, thiosalicylic acid, and hydrazine to afford compounds 5, 6a, 6b, and 7, respectively. These products contain chlorinated quinoxaline as analogue to several biologically active quinoxalines [35]. Reaction of either 6a with hydrazine or reaction of 7 with thiophenol gave the same compound 8, which on subsequent condensation with different aromatic aldehyde afforded hydrazones 9a–f. Furthermore, 2,3-DCQ was reacted with benzimidazole-2-thiol as a binucleophile affording the pentacyclic compound 10. Thus, we synthesized 19 new 2,3-disubstituted quinoxaline derivatives (2b–e; 3a; 3e; 3f; 4; 5; 6a,b; 8; 9a–f) and seven previously reported compounds (1; 2a [36]; 3b; 3c [37]; 3d; 3g, 7) using a simple and efficient synesthetic method with the goal of discovering their antimicrobial activity.

Scheme 2

Synthesis of asym. 2,3-disubstituted quinoxaline.

Previously, hydrazones derived from quinoxaline have been reported for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects [9,38,39,40]. That enhanced us to design quinoxaline derivatives 9a–f which contain both thioether and arylhydrazones functionalities at 2- and 3-positions of quinoxaline ring for testing their biological activity.

The newly prepared compounds 5–10 gave analytical and spectral data in agreement with their structures. For example, compounds 5, 7, 8, and 9a–f showed the characteristic infrared absorption bands for N-H stretching at 3300–3358 cm−1 in addition, proton NMR of those compounds showed D2O-exchangeable broad singlets, which confirmed the existence of NH and/or NH2 groups. Condensation reaction of 8 with six different aromatic aldehydes led to formation of Schiff bases 9a–f. Those Schiff bases showed a new singlet at δ 8.46–8.72 ppm corresponding to azomethine proton. Furthermore, the azomethine carbon appeared in carbon NMR at δ 138–145 ppm.

2.2. Biological Evaluation

In vitro antimicrobial screening of the synthesized compounds 2a–d, 3a–g, 4, 5, 6a,b, 8, and 9a–f was estimated against four bacterial species, namely Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus as a Gram-positive bacterium. Moreover, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris as a Gram-negative bacterium. In addition, the study also included two fungal strains, namely Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus. Gentamycin and Ketoconazole were used as antibacterial and antifungal reference drugs, respectively. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as solvent as well as negative reference. The activities of the tested compounds are summarized in Table 1. The data obtained allowed the following observations and conclusions: the negative reference, dimethyl sulfoxide, did not show any inhibition zone against all the tested strains. The antibacterial positive reference, Gentamycin, showed an average inhibition zone of 24.00, 26.00, 30.00, and 25.00 mm against the strains of Staphylococcus aureus; Bacillus subtilis; Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris, respectively. The antifungal positive reference, Ketoconazole, showed an average inhibition zone of 20.00 mm, 16.00 mm against the strains of, Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus, respectively. The tested compounds showed significant antibacterial activity against the strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli relative to the strain of Proteus vulgaris. Furthermore, among all the tested compounds, only compounds 6a, 6b and the pentacyclic compound 10 have considerable antifungal activity. Compounds 3f, 6b showed broad antimicrobial spectrum against most of the tested strains. The symmetrically disubstituted quinoxalines 2, 3, 4, and 5 presented the most significant antibacterial activity. However, the asymmetrically substituted quinoxalines 8, 9, and 10 showed reduced antibacterial activity. The hydrazine 8 revealed a slightly lower antimicrobial activity than its corresponding hydrazones 9a–g.

Table 1

Antimicrobial activities of compounds 2–6 and 8–10.

	Antibacterial Activity Zone of Inhibition (mm)				Antifungal Activity Zone of Inhibition (mm)
	G+ bacteria		G− bacteria
Compounds	S. aureus	B. subtilis	E. coli	P. vulgaris	C. albicans	A. flavus
2a	26	30	18	15	17	14
2b	22	19	25	39	16	12
2c	25	20	27	31	13	15
2d	28	44	34	11	11	5
3a	13	12	14	24	19	14
3b	19	28	39	23	18	9
3c	35	41	37	15	18	16
3d	16	30	32	27	11	19
3e	26	24	27	16	18	11
3f	30	29	30	28	17	14
3g	37	29	28	16	17	15
4	27	38	12	15	18	15
5	22	37	37	24	18	12
6a	22	35	24	19	25	17
6b	29	31	35	23	22	11
8	15	9	9	11	7	9
9a	22	18	25	23	10	9
9b	17	13	18	20	11	11
9c	14	12	22	21	10	15
9d	20	11	14	12	11	7
9e	19	10	19	18	19	5
9f	13	15	17	11	11	8
10	13	26	24	15	34	27
Ketoconazole	-	-	-	-	20	16
Gentamycin	24	26	30	25	-	-
DMSO	0	0	0	0	0	0

S. aureus, Staphylococcus aureus (RCMB010010); B. subtilis, Bacillus subtilis (RCMB 015 (1) NRRL B-543); E. coli, Escherichia coli (RCMB 010052) ATCC 25955; P. vulgaris, Proteus vulgaris RCMB 004 (1) ATCC 13315; C. albicans, Candida albicans RCMB 005003 (1) ATCC 10231; A. flavus, Aspergillus flavus (RCMB 002002).

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is the lowest concentration causing full inhibition of the tested microorganism’s growth. MIC is a further test applied for selected compounds with good antimicrobial activity. The MIC were determined via the double dilution technique [41]. Six concentrations were prepared for each selected compound (8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 μg/mL). The bacteria were inoculated and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h in nutrient broth medium; however, the fungal strains were inoculated in malt extract broth and incubated for 48 h. MIC values of the tested compounds for different microorganisms are given in Table 2. As summarized in Table 2, the pentacyclic compound 10 exhibited the highest antifungal activity against both Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus with MIC 16 μg/mL. On the other hand, the tested compounds 2d and 3c showed the highest antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli with MIC 8 μg/mL. Moreover, Compounds 2d, 3c, 4, and 6a presented the highest antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis with MIC 16 μg/mL. Besides that, many of the tested compounds presented a good antibacterial activity comparable to Gentamycin (i.e., compounds 2a, 2c, 2d, 3c, 3f, 3g, 4, and 6b against Staphylococcus aureus; compounds 2a, 3d, 3f, 3g, 6b, and 10 against Bacillus subtilis; compounds 2c and 3d against Proteus vulgaris).

Table 2

The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC: μg/mL) of the tested compounds.

Compounds	S. aureus	B. subtilis	E. coli	P. vulgaris	C. albicans	A. flavus
2a	32	32	64	64	64	64
2b	64	128	64	8	64	256
2c	32	64	64	16	128	64
2d	32	16	8	128	256	>256
3a	>256	>256	>256	256	128	128
3b	256	64	16	32	64	>256
3c	32	16	8	64	64	64
3d	256	32	16	16	>256	64
3e	64	128	128	128	64	128
3f	32	32	32	32	128	256
3g	32	32	16	64	128	128
4	32	16	>256	>256	64	64
5	256	32	16	32	64	256
6a	64	16	64	32	16	32
6b	32	32	16	32	32	>256
10	256	32	32	32	16	16
Ketoconazole	-	-	-	-	32	32
Gentamycin	32	32	16	16	-	-

S. aureus, Staphylococcus aureus (RCMB010010); B. subtilis, Bacillus subtilis (RCMB 015 (1) NRRL B-543); E. coli, Escherichia coli (RCMB 010052) ATCC 25955; P. vulgaris, Proteus vulgaris RCMB 004 (1) ATCC 13315; C. albicans, Candida albicans RCMB 005003 (1) ATCC 10231; A. flavus, Aspergillus flavus (RCMB 002002).

3. Experimental

3.1. Instruments and Apparatus

Melting points were determined by MEL-TEMP II melting point apparatus in open glass capillaries and were uncorrected. The IR spectra were recorded as potassium bromide (KBr) discs on a Perkin-Elemer FT-IR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), Faculty of Science, Alexandria University. The NMR spectra were carried out at ambient temperature (~25 °C) on a (JEOL) 500 MHz spectrophotometer using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard, NMR Unit, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University. Elemental analyses were analyzed at the Micro analytical Unit, Faculty of Science, Cairo University. The biological evaluation was carried out in the Medical Mycology Laboratory of the Regional Center for Mycology and Biotechnology of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

3.2. Agar Disk-Diffusion Method

The desired compounds were dissolved in DMSO (which has no inhibition activity) to obtain concentrations of 250 ppm and soaked in filter paper disks of 5 mm. The test was performed on medium potato dextrose agar (PDA) which contains an infusion of 200 g potatoes, 6 g dextrose, and 15 g agar. Uniform size filter paper disks (three disks per compound) were impregnated with equal volume (10 μL) from the specific concentration of dissolved tested compounds and then carefully placed on the incubated agar surface. After incubation for 36 h at 27 °C in the case of bacteria and for 48 h at 24 °C in the case of fungi, inhibition of the organisms (evidenced by a clear zone surrounding each disk) was measured and used to calculate the mean of inhibition zones [42].

3.3. Determination of MIC

All the bacteria were incubated and activated at 37 °C for 24 h inoculation into nutrient broth and the fungi were incubated in malt extract broth for 48 h. The compounds were dissolved in DMSO and then diluted using cautiously adjusted Mueller–Hinton broth. Two-fold serial concentrations dilution method (8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 µg/mL) of some compounds were employed to determine the MIC values. In each case, triplicate tests were performed, and the average was taken as the final reading. The tubes were then inoculated with the test organisms, grown in their suitable broth at 37 °C for 24 h for tested microorganisms (1 × 108 CFU/mL for bacteria and 1 × 106 CFU/mL of fungi), each 5 mL received 0.1 mL of the above inoculum and was incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The lowest concentration showing no growth was taken as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC); shown in Table 2.

3.4. Synthesis of Quinoxaline-2,3-dione

o-Phenylenediamine (27.9 g, 0.25 mol), n class="Chemical">oxalic acid (32.5 g, 0.36 mol), and 4 N HCl (150 mL) were refluxed for 4 h then cooled. The solid separated was filtered, washed, and used without further purification, yield (86%), m.p. > 300 °C [lit. > 300 °C] [43], 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K), δ 11.91 (s, 2H, 2 NH, D2O exchangeable), 7.11 (dd, 2H, J = 6.1, 3.3 Hz, H6 and H7) and 7.07 (dd, 2H, J = 6.0, 3.3 Hz, H5 and H8) ppm.

3.5. Synthesis of 2,3-DCQ (

Method A: Equimolar quantities of n class="Chemical">quinoxaline-2,3-dione (16.013 g, 0.1 mol) and phosphorus oxychloride (15.333 g, 0.1 mol) were mixed and the resulting mixture was refluxed on a water bath for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and the resulting precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with water, then crystalized from rectified spirit as colorless crystals, 69% yield; m.p. 143–145 °C [lit. 148–150 °C] [44].

Method B: A mixture of quinoxaline-2,3-dione (3.08 g, 0.019 mol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (25 mL) and n class="Chemical">thionyl chloride (4 mL, 0.055 mol) dissolved in few drops of dimethylformamide was heated on water bath for 4 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and the resulting precipitate was isolated by filtration, washed with water, then crystalized from rectified spirit as colorless crystals, 82% yield; m.p. 143–145 °C. 1H-NMR (500 MHz: CDCl3), δ 8.01 (dd, 2H, J = 6.4, 3.5 Hz, H6 and H7) and 7.79 (dd, 2H, J = 6.4, 3.4 Hz, H5 and H8) ppm.

3.6. Synthesis of 2,3-bis(arylthio)quinoxaline (

In a typical experiment a solution of 2,3-DCQ 1 (1 g, 0.005 mol) and 0.015 mol of appropriate thiol (namely, 4 mL thiophenol, 1.28 mL p- fluorothiophenol, 2.85 g p-bromothiophenol, 2.16 g p-chlorothiophenol or 1.86 g p-methylthiophenol) and triethylamine (3.03 g, 0.03 mol) in 30 mL methanol was refluxed for 2 h, monitored by TLC. It was then cooled by ice-water, filtered, and washed with water and the separated solid was then crystalized from benzene-petroleum ether as crystals.

3.6.1. 2,3-Dithiophenylquinoxaline (2a)

Yellow crystals, 1.47 g (85%) yield; m.p. 112–115 °C. IR (KBr), 3052 (sp2 = C-H), 1580 (C=n class="Chemical">N) and 749, 682 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K), δ 7.67–7.62 (m, 8H, Ar-H) and 7.46–7.48 (m, 6H, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K), δ 153.73 (C), 140.37 (C), 135.08 (CH), 129.09 (CH), 128.70 (C), 128.32 (CH), 127.88 (CH) ppm. C20H14N2S2 requires: C, 69.36%; H, 4.05%; N, 8.09%. Found: C, 69.14%; H, 4.27%; N, 8.31%.

3.6.2. 2,3-Di(thio-4-fluorophenyl)quinoxaline (2b)

Colourless crystals, 2.13 g (93%) yield; m.p. 147–150 °C. IR (KBr), 3037 (=C-H), 1586 (C=n class="Chemical">N) and 752, 636 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K), δ 7.62 (m, 6H, Ar-H), 7.47 (dd, 2H, J = 6.3, 3.4 Hz, H8) and 7.16 (t, 4H, J = 8.6 Hz, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K), δ 163.53 (d, 1JC,F =250.3 Hz, CF), 153.41 (C), 140.35 (C), 137.49 (d, 3JC,F = 8.5 Hz, CH), 128.60 (CH), 127.87 (CH), 123.52 (d, 4JC,F = 2.5 Hz, C), 116.47 (d, 2JC,F = 22.2 Hz, CH) ppm. C20H12N2S2 F2 requires: C, 52.63%; H, 2.63%; N, 6.14%. Found: C, 55.47%; H, 2.87%; N, 6.27%.

3.6.3. 2,3-Di(thio-4-bromophenyl)quinoxaline (2c)

Colorless crystals, 2.3 g (94%) yield; m.p. 212-215 °C. IR (KBr), 3058 (sp2 = C-H), 1629 (C=n class="Chemical">N), and 758, 622 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K), δ 7.67 (dd, 2H, J = 6.3, 3.5 Hz, H8), 7.58 (d, 4H, J = 8.4 Hz, H3′ and H5′), and 7.50 (m, 6H, H7, H2′, and H6′) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz: CDCl3), δ 152.99 (C), 140.40 (C), 136.59 (CH), 132.39 (CH), 128.84 (CH), 127.92 (CH), 127.66 (C), 123.87 (C) ppm.C20H12N2S2Br2 requires: C, 47.62%; H, 2.38%; N, 5.56%. Found: C, 47.89%; H, 2.54%; N, 5.73%.

3.6.4. 2,3-Di(thio-4-chlorophenyl)quinoxaline (2d)

Pale yellow crystals, 1.87 g (90%) yield; m.p. 198–200 °C. IR (KBr), 3103 (sp2 = C-H), 1631 (C=n class="Chemical">N) and 756, 625 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K), δ 7.66 (dd, 2H, J = 3.5 Hz, H8), 7.56 (d, 4H, J = 8.5 Hz, H3′ and H5′), 7.49 (dd, 2H, J = 3.4 Hz, H7), and 7.43 (d, 4H, J = 8.5 Hz, H2′, and H6′) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K), δ 153.05 (C), 140.39 (C), 136.41 (CH), 135.57 (C), 129.36 (CH), 128.78 (CH), 127.90 (CH), 126.97 (C) ppm. C20H12N2S2Cl2 requires: C, 57.83%; H, 2.89%; N, 6.75%. Found: C, 57.61%; H, 3.11%; N, 6.89%.

3.6.5. 2,3-Di(thio-4-methylphenyl)quinoxaline (2e)

Colorless crystals, 1.59 g (85%) yield; m.p. 150 °C. IR (KBr), 3049 (sp2 = C-H), 2968 (sp3-C-H), 1596 (C=n class="Chemical">N), and 751, 592 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K), 7.65 (dd, 4H, J = 6.3, 3.5 Hz, H8), 7.53 (d, 4H, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′, and H6′), 7.44 (dd, 2H, J = 6.4, 3.4 Hz, H7), 7.27 (d, 4H, J = 8.0 Hz, H3’and H5’), and 2.42 (s, 6H, 2CH3) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K), δ 154.01 (C), 140.32 (C), 139.26 (C), 135.13 (CH), 129.96 (CH), 128.19 (CH), 127.83 (CH), 124.95 (C), 21.28 (CH3) ppm. C22H18N2S2 requires: C, 70.5%; H, 4.8%; N, 7.4%. Found: C, 70.78%; H, 4.73%; N, 7.68%.

3.7. Synthesis of N2,N3-Diarylquinoxaline-2,3-diamine (

In a typical experiment a solution of 2,3-DCQ 1 (0.5 g, 0.0025 mol) and 0.025 mol of appropriate amine; (namely, 2-aminopyridine (2.35 g), aniline (2.33 g), m-chloroaniline (3.19 g), p-toludine (2.68 g), 3,4-dimethylaniline (3.03 g), p-anisidine (3.08 g) or 3,4-dimethoxyaniline (3.83 g)) and triethylamine (0.5 g, 0.005 mol) in 20 mL acetonitrile was refluxed for 20 to 40 h with constant stirring, monitored by TLC. The reaction mixture was then cooled by ice-water, filtered, washed with water to give quinoxalines 3a–g as solid crystals which were purified by crystallization from alcohol.

(Note: as an exception the reaction of n class="Chemical">2-aminopyridine with 2,3-DCQ was carried out in dimethylformamide instead of acetonitrile).

3.7.1. N2,N3-Di(pyridin-2-yl)quinoxaline-2,3-diamine (3a)

Yellow crystals, 0.59 g (75%) yield; m.p. > 250 °C. IR (KBr), 3372 (NH), 3107 (=C-H), and 1667 (C=N) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K), δ 11.96 (broad s, 1H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 11.91 (broad s, 2H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 7.38–7.26 (m, 2H, Ar-H), and 7.15–7.02 (m, 10H, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K), δ 132.82 (C), 129.03 (C), 125.60 (C), 124.63 (CH), 123.78 (CH), 123.04 (CH), 123.01 (CH), 115.13 (CH), 114.22 (CH) ppm.C18H14N6 requires: C, 68.7%; H, 4.4%; N, 26.7%. Found: C, 68.99%; H, 4.63%; N, 26.43%.

3.7.2. N2,N3-Diphenylquinoxaline-2,3-diamine (3b)

Yellow crystals, 1.31 g (84%) yield; m.p. 228–230 °C (Lit. 223 °C) [45]. IR (KBr), 3311 (NH), 3075 (=C-H), and 1642 (C=N) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K), δ 9.63 (br. s, 2H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 7.93 (d, 4H, J = 7.9 Hz, H2′, and H6′), 7.55 (dd, 2H, J = 6.2, 3.4 Hz, H8), 7.41 (t, 4H, H3′ and H5′), 7.34 (dd, 2H, J = 6.2, 3.4 Hz, H7), and 7.10 (t, 2H, J = 7.4 Hz, H4′) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K), δ 141.32 (C), 139.37 (C), 133.94 (C), 128.93 (CH), 125.66 (CH), 124.13 (CH), 123.79 (CH), 121.53 (CH) ppm.C20H16N4 requires: C, 76.92%; H, 5.13%; N, 17.95%. Found: C, 77.12%; H, 5.29%; N, 18.24%.

3.7.3. N2,N3-Bis(3-chlorophenyl)quinoxaline-2,3-diamine (3c)

Yellow crystals, 0.75 g (81%) yield; m.p. 122-124 °C. IR (KBr), 3303 (NH), 3054 (=C-H), and 1575 (C=N) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K), δ 9.16 (s, 2H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 8.09 (t, 2H, J = 2.0 Hz, H5′), 7.81 (dd, 2H, J = 8.2, 1.5 Hz, H4′), 7.59 (dd, 2H, J = 6.1, 3.4 Hz, H8), 7.44–7.38 (m, 4H, H7, and H2′), and 7.11 (dd, 2H, J = 7.9, 1.6 Hz, H6′) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K), δ 141.76 (C), 140.95 (C), 136.04 (C), 132.95 (C), 130.27 (CH), 125.81 (CH), 125.60 (CH), 122.03 (CH), 119.50 (CH), 118.52 (CH) ppm.C20H14N4S2Cl2 requires: C, 62.99%; H, 3.67%; N, 14.70%. Found: C, 62.84%; H, 3.75%; N, 14.81%.

3.7.4. N2,N3-Dip-tolylquinoxaline-2,3-diamine (3d)

Yellow crystals, 0.67 g (79%) yield; m.p. 145–147 °C (Lit. 147-149 °C) [46]. IR (KBr), 3388 (NH), 3026 (=C-H), 2916 (-C-H), and 1640 (C=N) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K), δ 8.92 (br. s, 2H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 7.76 (d, 4H, J = 8.4 Hz, H2′, and H6′), 7.49 (dd, 2H, J = 6.1, 3.5 Hz, H8), 7.30 (dd, 2H, J = 6.0, 3.4 Hz, H7), 7.20 (d, 4H, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′, and H5′), and 2.30 (s, 6H, 2CH3) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K), δ 141.21 (C), 137.57 (C), 136.16 (C), 131.58 (C), 129.05 (CH), 125.25 (CH), 124.89 (CH), 120.77 (CH), 20.51 (CH3) ppm.C22H20N4 requires: C, 77.65%; H, 5.88%; N, 16.47%. Found: C, 77.47%; H, 5.98%; N, 16.62%.

3.7.5. N2,N3-Bis(3,4-dimethylphenyl)quinoxaline-2,3-diamine (3e)

Yellow crystals, 0.38 g (84%) yield; m.p. 258–261 °C. IR (KBr), 3390 (NH), 3154 (=C-H), 2881 (sp3 -C-H), and 1634 (C=N) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 9.85 (s, 2H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 7.70–7.58 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 7.55 (dd, 2H, J = 6.0, 3.5 Hz, H8), 7.32 (dd, 2H, J = 6.0, 3.4 Hz, H7), 7.19 (d, 2H, Ar-H), 2.26 (s, 6H, 2CH3), and 2.23 (s, 6H, 2CH3) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 141.18 (C), 136.54 (C), 131.81 (C), 129.81 (CH), 127.80 (C), 126.17 (C), 125.34 (CH), 122.83 (CH), 119.21 (CH), 118, 72 (CH), 19.72 (CH3), 18.89 (CH3) ppm.C24H24N4 requires: C, 91.3%; H, 6.52%; N, 15.2%. Found: C, 78.45%; H, 6.71%; N, 15.47%.

3.7.6. N2,N3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)quinoxaline-2,3-diamine (3f)

Green crystals, 0.72 g (78%) yield; m.p. 116–118 °C. IR (KBr): 3387 (NH), 3070 (=C-H), 2949 (-C-H), and 1656 (C=N) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 8.84 (br. s, 2H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 7.77 (d, 4H, J = 9.0 Hz, H2′, and H6′), 7.45 (dd, 2H, J = 6.2, 3.5 Hz, H8), 7.26 (dd, 2H, J = 6.0, 3.4 Hz, H7), 6.98 (d, 4H, J = 9.0 Hz, H3′, and H5′), and 3.76 (s, 6H, 2 OCH3) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 155.06 (C), 141.33 (C), 136.21 (C), 133.11 (C), 125.12 (CH), 124.66 (CH), 122.48 (CH), 113.87 (CH), 55.22 (OCH3) ppm. C22H20N4O2 requires: C, 70.97%; H, 5.38%; N, 15.05%. Found: C, 70.73%; H, 5.47%; N, 14.89%.

3.7.7. N2,N3-Bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)quinoxaline-2,3-diamine (3g)

Dark green crystals, 0.41 g (76%) yield; m.p. 208–210 °C (Lit. 214 °C). IR (n class="Chemical">KBr): 3372 (NH), 3059 (=C-H), 2936 (-C-H), and 1615 (C=N) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 8.87 (br. s, 2H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 7.66 (d, 2H, J = 2.4 Hz, H2′), 7.49 (dd, 2H, J = 6.2, 3.5 Hz, H8), 7.38 (dd, 2H, J = 8.6, 2.4 Hz, H6′), 7.29 (dd, 2H, J = 6.1, 3.4 Hz, H7), 6.99 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, H5′), 3.81 (s, 6H, 2 OCH3), and 3.76 (s, 6H, 2 OCH3) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 148.49 (C), 144.56 (C), 141.18 (C), 136.09 (C), 133.63 (C), 125.21 (CH), 124.79 (CH), 112.61 (CH), 112.06 (CH), 106.05 (CH), 55.78 (OCH3), 55.40 (OCH3) ppm. C24H24N4O4 requires: C, 66.6%; H, 5.55%; N, 12.9%. Found: C, 66.87%; H, 5.62%; N, 12.78%. Spectral data of 3g are in accordance with those reported in the literature [47].

3.8. Synthesis and Characterization of 2,2’-(Quinoxaline-2,3-diylbis(sulfanediyl))diacetic acid (

A solution of 2,3-DCQ 1 (1 g, 0.005 mol) and a solution of thioglycolic acid (1.38 g, 0.015 mol) and triethyl amine (3.03 g, 0.03 mol) in 30 mL methanol was refluxed for 4 h. The reaction was monitored by TLC until 2,3-DCQ was totally consumed. The reaction mixture was then cooled by ice-water and the separated solid was filtered then crystalized from a mixture of methanol and water.

Yellow crystals, 1.78 g (93%) yield; m.p. 227–229 °C. IR (KBr): 3426 (OH), 2999 (-C-H), 1705 (C=O), 1560 (C=n class="Chemical">N), and 759, 675 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 7.83 (dd, 2H, J = 6.3, 3.4 Hz, H8), 7.67 (dd, 2H, J = 6.2, 3.4 Hz, H7), and 4.17 (s, 4H, 2 CH2) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 169.53 (CO), 152.60 (C), 138.97 (C), 128.94 (CH), 127.16 (CH), 32.49 (CH2) ppm.C12H10N2S2O4 requires: C, 37.6%; H, 2.6%; N, 7.3%. Found: C, 37.75%; H, 2.47%; N: 7.49%.

3.9. Synthesis and Characterization of 3-Chloro-N-(4-chlorophenyl)quinoxalin-2-amine (

To a solution of p-chloroaniline (3.18 g, 0.025 mol) and triethylamine (0.5 g, 0.005 mol) in 5 mL dimethylformamide, a solution of 2,3-DCQ 1 (0.5 g, 0.0025 mol) in 10 mL dimethylformamide was added with constant stirring. After the completion of addition, the reaction mixture was refluxed for 40 h, cooled by ice-water, filtered, washed with water, and the product formed was purified by crystallization from hot ethanol. Yellow crystals, 0.55 g (76%) yield; m.p. 227–229 °C. IR (KBr): 3357 (NH), 3099 (=C-H), and 1676 (C=N) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 9.13 (br. s, 1H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 7.92 (d, 2H, J = 8.9 Hz, H2′ and H6′), 7.56 (dd, 1H, J = 6.0, 3.5 Hz, Ar-H), 7.44 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz, H3′, and H5′), 7.41–7.30 (m, 2H, Ar-H), and 7.28–7.12 (m, 1H, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 151.43(C), 140.57 (C), 138.97 (C), 138.63 (C), 135.96 (C), 128.51 (CH), 128.36 (CH), 125.89 (C), 125.52 (CH), 121.91 (CH), 121.29 (CH), 115.08 (CH) ppm.C14H9N3Cl2 requires: C, 57.9%; H, 3.10%; N, 14.4%. Found: C, 58.13%; H, 3.29%; N, 14.67%.

3.10. Synthesis of 2-Chloro-3-(arylthio)quinoxaline (

A solution of 2,3-DCQ 1 (1 g, 0.005 mol) and appropriate n class="Chemical">thiol (Namely, thiophenol or thiosalicylic acid) (0.015 mol) and triethylamine (1.01 g, 0.01 mol) in 30 mL methanol was stirred for 4 h, monitored by TLC. The reaction mixture was then cooled by ice-water, filtered, washed with water, and purified by crystallization.

3.10.1. 2-Chloro-3-(phenylthio)quinoxaline (6a)

Colorless crystals (benzene-n class="Chemical">petroleum ether), 1.25 g (92%) yield; m.p. 145 °C. IR (KBr): 3068 (=C-H), 1562 (C=N), and 753, 683 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K): δ 7.93–7.90 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.69–7.65 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.65–7.58 (m, 4H, Ar-H), and 7.51–7.46 (m, 3H, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K): δ 155.30 (C), 144.32 (C), 141.21 (C), 139.68 (C), 135.56 (CH), 130.10 (CH), 129.62 (CH), 129.28 (CH), 129.15 (CH), 128.12 (C), 128.01 (CH), 127.98 (CH) ppm.C14H9N2SCl requires: C, 61.65%; H, 3.30%; N, 10.28%. Found: C, 61.92%; H, 3.19%; N, 10.48%.

3.10.2. 2-(3-Chloroquinoxalin-2-ylthio)benzoic Acid (6b)

Dark yellow crystals (n class="Chemical">methanol-water mixture), 1.4 g (92%) yield; m.p. > 250 °C. IR (KBr): 3430 (OH), 3062 (=C-H), 1681 (C=O), 1586 (C=N), and 744, 646 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 8.01 (d, 1H, J = 6.4 Hz, Ar-H), 7.98–7.93 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.77 (dd, 1H, J = 6.3, 3.5 Hz, Ar-H), 7.70 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.61 (d, 1H, J = 7.9 Hz, Ar-H), 7.53 (m, 2H, Ar-H), and 7.33 (t, 1H, J = 7.9 Hz, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 167.54 (CO), 153.65 (C), 139.95 (C), 138.84 (C), 135.69 (CH), 135.19 (C), 133.73 (CH), 133.65 (C), 133.19 (CH), 131.50 (CH), 130.55 (CH), 128.40 (C), 128.00 (CH), 125.90 (CH), 124.90 (CH) ppm.C15H9N2SO2Cl requires: C, 56.8%; H, 2.8%; N, 8.8%. Found C, 56.97%; H, 3.13%; N, 8.61%.

3.11. Synthesis of 2-Chloro-3-hydrazinylquinoxaline (

A solution of 2,3-DCQ 1 (5 g, 0.025 mol) and hydrazine hydrate (2.7 g, 0.0055 mol) in 15 mL ethanol was stirred for 24 h with constant stirring, the reaction being monitored by TLC. The reaction mixture was then filtered and washed with water and the product was crystalized from benzene-petroleum ether as dark orang crystals, 82% yield; m.p. > 250 °C [lit. >300 °C] the spectral data agreed with the previously reported data [48].

3.12. Synthesis of 2-Hydrazinyl-3-(phenylthio)quinoxaline (

To a solution of thiophenol (7.00 g, 0.069 mol) and 0.138 mL of n class="Chemical">triethylamine in 20 mL methanol, a solution of 2-chloro-3-hydrazinylquinoxaline 7 (4.5 g, 0.023 mol) in 20 mL methanol was added. Then the reaction mixture was refluxed for 30 min, monitored by TLC, cooled by ice-water, filtered, washed with water, and purified by crystallization from benzene. Orange crystals, 6.3 g (92%) yield; m.p. 210–212 °C. IR (KBr): 3300 (NH), 3237 (NH2), 3033 (=C-H), 1627 (C=N), and 750, 683 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 7.62–7.54 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.52–7.49 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.50–7.47 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.47–7.40 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.11 (t, 1H, J = 8.3 Hz, Ar-H), 7.02 (d, 1H, J = 8.9 Hz, Ar-H), 6.92 (d, 1H, J = 9.0 Hz, Ar-H), 6.80 (t, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, Ar-H), 5.61 (br.s, 2H, NH2, D2O exchangeable), and 4.58 (br.s, 1H, NH, D2O exchangeable). C14H12N4S requires: C, 62.67%; H, 4.48%; N, 20.90%. Found: C, 62.43%; H, 4.59%; N, 21.16%.

3.13. Synthesis of (2-(2-Arylidenehydrazinyl)-3-(phenylthio)quinoxaline (

In a typical experiment a solution of 2-hydrazinyl-3-(phenylthio)quinoxaline 8 (0.5 g, 0.0018 mol) and appropriate aldehyde (0.0018 mol) (Namely, benzaldehyde, p-nitrobenzaldehyde, m-nitrobenzaldehyde, p-methoxybenzaldehyde, p-chlorobenzaldehyde or p-hydroxybenzaldehyde) in ethanol-DMF (20–2 mL) was refluxed for 6 h with constant stirring, the reaction being monitored by TLC. The reaction mixture was then cooled by ice-water, filtrated, washed with water. Finally, purified by crystallization from a mixture of methylene chloride-petroleum ether.

3.13.1. 2-(2-Benzylidenehydrazinyl)-3-(phenylthio)quinoxaline (9a)

Orange crystals, 0.5 g (90%) yield; m.p. 187–190 °C. IR (KBr): 3358 (NH), 3049 (=C-H), 1613 (C=N), and 748, 627 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 9.50 (br. s, 1H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 8.65 (s, 1H, CH), 7.82–7.86 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.67–7.60 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.48–7.38 (m, 6H, Ar-H), 7.37 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar-H), 7.34–7.26 (m, 1H, Ar-H), and 7.05–7.14 (m, 1H, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 158.12 (C), 156.52 (CH), 143.74 (C), 135.47 (CH), 134.94 (C), 132.65 (C), 130.56 (C), 130.44(CH), 129.22 (CH), 129.07 (CH), 128.66 (CH), 128.61 (CH), 128.44 (CH), 128.41 (C), 126.80 (CH), 122.36 (CH), 115.18 (CH) ppm. C21H16N4S requires: C, 70.79%; H, 4.49%; N, 15.73%. Found: C, 70.96%; H, 4.61%; N, 15.79%.

3.13.2. 2-(2-(4-Nitrobenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-3-(phenylthio)quinoxaline (9b)

Orange crystals (methylene chloride), 0.72 g (97%) yield; m.p. 200–202 °C. IR (n class="Chemical">KBr): 3344 (NH), 3064 (=C-H), 1599 (C=N), 1547, 1332 (NO2, asymmetric and symmetric stretching), and 746, 626 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 8.90 (brs, 1H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 8.72 (s, 1H, CH), 8.30 (d, 2H, J = 8.6 Hz, Ar-H), 7.98 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.63 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.48–7.44 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.38 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar-H), 7.31 (t, 1H, J = 7.4 Hz, Ar-H), and 7.12 (d, 2H, J = 7.6 Hz, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 157.90 (C), 154.19 (CH), 147.98 (C), 144.51 (C), 141.22 (C), 135.44 (CH), 132.96 (C), 130.20 (C), 129.28 (CH), 129.11 (CH), 129.10 (C), 128.65 (CH), 128.49 (CH), 127.05 (CH), 123.82 (CH), 122.86 (CH), 115.51(CH) ppm. C21H15N5SO2 requires: C, 62.84%; H, 3.74%; N, 17.46%. Found: C, 63.04%; H, 3.95%; N, 17.72%.

3.13.3. 2-(2-(3-Nitrobenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-3-(phenylthio)quinoxaline (9c)

Dark orange crystals (n class="Chemical">methanol-dimethylformamide), 0.71 g (96%) yield; m.p. 201–203 °C. IR (KBr): 3350 (NH), 3072 (=C-H), 1617 (C=N), 1522, 1342 (NO2, asymmetric and symmetric stretching), and 741, 654 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 8.88 (brs, 1H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 8.70 (m, 2H, CH, and Ar-H), 8.22 (d, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, Ar-H), 8.10 (d, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz, Ar-H), 7.63 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.57 (t, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz, Ar-H), 7.50–7.44 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.43–7.29 (m, 3H, Ar-H), and 7.16 (t, 1H, J = 4.7 Hz, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 157.92 (C), 154.36 (CH), 148.32 (C), 144.25 (C), 136.82 (C), 135.30 (CH), 134.36 (CH), 132.81 (C), 130.32 (C), 130.13 (CH), 129.26 (CH), 129.10 (CH), 128.56 (CH), 128.54 (C), 127.02 (CH), 124.53 (CH), 122.66 (CH), 122.42 (CH), 115.38 (CH) ppm. C21H15N5SO2 requires: C, 62.84%; H, 3.74%; N, 17.46%. Found: C, 63.13%; H, 3.85%; N, 17.67%.

3.13.4. 2-(2-(4-Methoxybenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-3-(phenylthio)quinoxaline (9d)

Dark orange crystals, 0.6 g (93%) yield; m.p. 193–195 °C. IR (n class="Chemical">KBr): 3359 (NH), 3053 (=C-H), 2963 (-C-H), 1615 (C=N), and 744, 654 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 8.60 (s, 1H, CH), 7.90 (s, 1H, Ar-H), 7.68–7.59 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.52–7.47 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.42–7.46 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.43–7.38 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.34 (t, 1H, J = 9.8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.11 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 6.94 (m, 1H, Ar-H), and 3.85 (s, 3H, CH3) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 161.23 (C), 158.22 (C), 156.24 (CH), 143.30 (C), 135.46 (CH), 132.56 (C), 130.72 (CH), 130.13 (C), 129.18 (CH), 129.06 (CH), 128.70 (C), 128.37 (CH), 127.60 (C), 126.91 (CH), 122.15 (CH), 115.27 (CH), 114.14 (CH), 55.36 (OCH3) ppm.C22H18N4S O requires: C, 68.39%; H, 4.66%; N, 14.51%. Found: C: 67.98; H: 4, 79; N: 14.32%.

3.13.5. 2-(2-(4-Chlorobenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-3-(phenylthio)quinoxaline (9e)

Dark orange crystals, 0.6 g (91%) yield; m.p. 197–199 °C. IR (n class="Chemical">KBr): 3355 (NH), 3050 (=C-H), 1615 (C=N), and 747, 637 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 8.65 (s, 1H, CH), 7.74–7.78 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.68–7.58 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.48–7.44 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.42–7.27 (m, 4H, Ar-H), and 7.16 (m, 1H, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K): δ 153.38 (C), 150.26 (CH), 138.96 (C), 130.50 (CH), 129.94 (C), 128.94 (C), 127.75 (C), 125.52 (C), 125.02 (CH), 124.26 (CH), 124.13 (CH), 123.76 (CH), 123.66 (C), 123.53 (CH), 122.03 (CH), 117.50 (CH), 110.25 (CH) ppm.C21H15N4S Cl requires: C, 64.53%; H, 3.84%; N, 14.34%. Found: C: 64.39%; H: 3.97%; N: 14.58%.

3.13.6. 4-((2-(3-(Phenylthio)quinoxalin-2-yl)hydrazono)methyl)phenol (9f)

Orange crystals, 0.6 g (90%) yield; m.p. 203–205 °C. IR (KBr): 3339 (NH), 3256 (OH), 3057 (=C-H), 1598 (C=N), and 748, 659 (C-S, asymmetric and symmetric stretching) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 11.01 (brs, 1H, OH, D2O exchangeable), 10.00 (brs, 1H, NH, D2O exchangeable), 8.46 (s, 1H, CH), 7.87 (d, 2H, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar-H), 7.62–7.58 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.52 (d, 1H, J = 8.1 Hz, Ar-H), 7.50–7.45 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.28 (t, 1H, J = 7.4 Hz, Ar-H), 7.13 (d, 1H, J = 7.7 Hz, Ar-H), 7.00 (t, 1H, J = 9.5 Hz, Ar-H), and 6.86 (d, 2H, J = 8.6 Hz, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, DMSO-d6, 300 K): δ 159.83 (C), 158.23 (C), 156.52 (CH), 143.07 (C), 135.43 (CH), 132.48 (C), 130.76 (C), 130.29 (CH), 129.13 (CH), 129.01 (CH), 128.69 (C), 128.30 (CH), 126.85 (CH), 126.02 (C), 122.02 (CH), 115.47 (CH), 114.94 (CH) ppm. C21H16N4SO requires: C, 67.74%; H, 4.30%; N, 15.05%. Found: C, 67.93%; H, 4.43%; N, 15.21%.

3.14. Synthesis of Benzimidazo[2′,1′:2,3]thiazolo[4,5-b]quinoxaline (

To a solution of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (1.13 g, 0.0075 mol) and n class="Chemical">triethyl amine (1.51 g, 0.015 mol) in 15 mL methanol, a solution of 2,3-DCQ 1 (0.5 g, 0.0025 mol) in 15 mL methanol was added with constant stirring. Then the mixture was refluxed for 4 h, monitored by TLC. The reaction mixture was then cooled by ice-water, filtered, washed with water, and crystalized from hot ethanol.

Colorless crystals, 0.65 g (94%) yield; m.p. 198–200 °C. IR (KBr): 3049 (=C-H) and 1565 (C=n class="Chemical">N) cm−1. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K): δ 7.97 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1, 1.4 Hz, Ar-H), 7.85 (dd, 1H, J = 8.2, 1.4 Hz, Ar-H), 7.69–7.57 (m, 4H, Ar-H), and 7.29 (dd, 2H, J= 6.0, 3.1 Hz, Ar-H) ppm. 13C-NMR (APT) (125 MHz, CDCl3, 300 K): δ 153.29 (C), 152.81 (C), 152.33 (C), 145.82 (C), 145.28 (C), 138.57 (C), 137.76 (C), 129.52 (CH), 127.40 (CH), 127.21 (CH), 126.79 (CH), 122.94 (CH), 122.54 (CH), 118.80 (CH), 110.61 (CH) ppm. C15H8N4S requires: C, 65.2%; H, 2.89%; N, 20.2%. Found: C, 64.89%; H, 3.04%; N, 20.52%.

13C-NMR and 1H-NMR spectrums are available in Supplementary Materials.

4. Conclusions

In summary, we described a simple and efficient synthetic method for 19 new quinoxalines with evaluation of their antimicrobial activity. The synthesized compounds were fully characterized using melting point, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-APT-NMR, and elemental analysis. The tested compounds showed reasonable antibacterial activity against the strains of Staphylococcus aureus; Bacillus subtilis; Escherichia coli. Furthermore, among all the tested compounds, only 6a, 6b and the pentacyclic compound 10 have considerable antifungal activity. The pentacyclic compound 10 exhibited the highest antifungal activity against both Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus having a MIC value of 16 μg/mL. On the other hand, compounds 2d and 3c showed the highest antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli having MIC value of 8 μg/mL. The results indicated that the sulfur functionality on quinoxaline may enhance its antifungal activity, while functionalization of quinoxaline with aromatic amines enhance its antibacterial activity. Further investigations of this aspect are in progress.