Synthesis, characterization, X-ray structure, computational studies, and bioassay of novel compounds combining thiophene and benzimidazole or 1,2,4-triazole moieties.

Background: Due to their interesting and versatile biological activity, thiophene-containing compounds have attracted the attention of both chemists and medicinal chemists. Some of these compounds have anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant activity. In addition, the thiophene nucleus has been used in the synthesis of a variety of heterocyclic compounds.

Results: In the present work, two novel thiophene-containing compounds, 4-phenyl-2-phenylamino-5-(1H-1,3-a,8-triaza-cyclopenta[α]inden-2-yl)-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (3) and 5-(1H-Imidazo[1,2-b] [1,2,4] triazol-5-yl)-4-phenyl-2-phenylamino-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (4), have been synthesized by reaction of 5-(2-bromo-acetyl)-4-phenyl-2-phenylaminothiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (2) with 2-aminobenzimidazole and 3-amino-1H-1,2,4-triazole in the presence of triethylamine, respectively. Compound 2, on the other hand, was prepared by bromination of 5-acetyl-4-phenyl-2-phenylaminothiophene-3-carboxylic acid ester (1). Structures of the newly prepared compounds were confirmed by different spectroscopic methods such as H-NMR, C-NMR, and mass spectrometry, as well as by elemental analysis. Furthermore, bromination of compound 1 led to the formation of two constitutional isomers (2a and 2b) that were obtained in an 80:20 ratio. Molecular structures of 2b were confirmed with the aid of X-ray crystallography. Compound 2 was crystallized in the triclinic, P-1, a = 8.8152 (8) Å, b = 10.0958 (9) Å, c = 12.6892 (10) Å, α = 68.549 (5)°, β = 81.667 (5)°, γ = 68.229 (5)°, V = 976.04 (15) Å, Z = 2, and was found in two isomeric forms regarding the position of the bromine atom. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the prepared compounds were evaluated.

Conclusions: Three new thiophene derivatives were synthesized in good yield. Antimicrobial screening revealed that compound 3 was a promising candidate as a potential antibacterial and antifungal agent; it exhibits remarkable activity against the studied bacterial strains, especially the gram negative bacteria E. coli in addition to some fungi. More work is needed to evaluate its safety and efficacy.