On the AntimicrObiaAl ctivity of Various Maleimide Compounds

Abstract

A variety of N-(substituted phenyl)maleimides have been prepared and screened for antifungal activity using three species of fungi. All the maleimides showed antifunga l activity, and especially N-(dialkylphenyl)maleimides showed satisfactory results. T o investigate the relation between alkylated position and activity, isomers of N-(dimethylphenyl)maleimide were screened for antifungal activity. We have found that N-(2, 6-dimethylpheny)maleimede, N-(2, 4-dimethylphenyl)maleimide and N-(2, 6-diethylphtenyl)maleimide have decent activity against a variety of fungi, bacteria and yeast. N-(2, 4, 6-trichlorophenyI)maleimide showed activity against Gram-positive bacteria, but it was inactive against Gramnegative bacteria. Some Diels-Alder adducts were parpared from N-(substituted phenyl)maleimides with furan, and screened for antifungal activity. Unsubstituted compounds showed weak activity, but substituted compounds showed no activity.