Design and synthesis of 2-quinolones as antioxidants and antimicrobials: a rational approach

As an important class of compounds, 2-quinolones are isomeric to 4-quinolones and isosteric to coumarins. The compounds that have 2-quinolone moiety are associated with interesting biologic activities such as antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral, cardiotonic, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor inhibitor functions, among others. In the current study, based on the rational approach, lead molecules of the 2-quinolone skeleton were designed for binding to the bacterial DNA gyrase subunit A. Docking simulations and quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) analysis were performed using the Molegro Virtual Docker and Sarchitech softwares. Based on these studies, the 7-amino-4-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one parent compound and its carboxamides (JST 1–15) were synthesized using Conrad Limpach synthesis. The synthesized test compounds then were characterized by thin-layer chromatography and melting point determination, as well as by ultraviolet, infrared (IR), 1H-NMR, and MS studies. All synthesized and purified compounds were tested for antioxidant and antibacterial activity.