Introduction

Phthalimide (C₈H₅NO₂) and N-substituted phthalimide derivatives are an important type of substrates and the bicyclic non-aromatic nitrogen heterocycle that has interesting applications in biological, pharmacological, industrial, and chemical applications. Both phthalimide and N-substituted phthalimide possessed biological efficiency such as anti-inflammatory [1, 2], analgesic, anti-depressant [3, 4], antioxidant [5], antimicrobial agent [5-7], and other activates [8-12]. The important applications of phthalimide due to the structural properties that are possessed like a hydrophobic aryl ring, the group of electron-donor, and hydrophobic 5-membered ring help to improve the biological activity of Phthalimide [13]. The study [14] has shown that, the possibility of using phthalimide and its derivatives in the biological field and used as an anti-bacterial. It is further used as a helping substance in medical productions and showed its effectiveness in cancer and other diseases [14]. In addition, the production of phthalimide derivatives via phthalic anhydride used in different applications like antinoceptive and anti-convulsants is summarized in the review [15]. Furthermore, Chi and his team examined the formation of some derivatives of phthalimide and subjected these complexes to various activities. One of these activities they tested, was the obtained complexes against some cancer cell lines, and their results showed positive effects of some complexes. Moreover, the same obtained compounds were tested toward some types of bacteria. The results also exhibited good and different effects as well as the inhibited bacteria that were used [16]. We further found some recent studies indicating the importance of these compounds as well as after modifying them with other functionally effective compounds. Besides, it showed the pharmacological importance of these compounds and their effectiveness in treating some chronic diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease, as those studies showed [17, 18].

1,3-Dioxoisoindoline is considered as one of the phthalimide derivatives products and it consists of heterocycles that contain nitrogen which has a wide range of pharmacological features [19]. Also, the phthalimides were modified by some types of amines, and activities of these compounds were increased and show positive effects when utilized and examined to combat plasmodium falciparum malaria [20], or used as an anti-plasmodial drug, as explained in [21].

Figure 1 displays different biological activities of N-substituted derivatives of 1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione derivatives (R represents an alkyl group).

N-substituted phthalimide is synthesized by different methods such as traditional procedures and yield which found around 98% [22].  Microwave process was also used and the obtained yield was between 52 and 89% [23] or between 60 and 80% [24]. Similar to use a microwave technique without solvent, it helps to obtain compounds with good purity and high yields found as explained in [25] or used refluxing in organic solvents at high temperatures and the utilized solvent like acetic acid [11], water [7], or toluene [26].

In addition, phthalimide was synthesized by microwave irradiation with the help of urea and phthalic anhydride, and the yield was 85% [27]. Other work used ionic liquid [bmim][Cl] which possessed hydrophilic properties as a solvent, and the reaction carry on the microwave heating. The obtained yield by this method was more than 95% [28].

The main objective of the present investigation is to synthesize new benzimidazole and phthaloylamino acid derivatives using phthalic anhydride, amino acids, and aromatic amines (used as precursors). The phthalimide derivatives were synthesized to obtain various complexes such as benzimidazole, phthaloylamino acid derivatives, and 2-[(4'-aminobiphenyl-4-yl) carbamoyl] benzoic acid. The structure of the obtained compounds was confirmed by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR.

The obtained phthalimide derivatives are examined against some types of bacteria to study the activity of these products.

Materials and Methods

The chemicals and solvent used in this investigation are purchased and utilized in an analytical grade. Melting point is measured using griffin apparatus (Stuart 3) and applied without calibration. The structure of the obtained compounds was confirmed using ¹H-NMR, Varian Gemini 300 MHz, and JNM-LA 400 FT-NMR system spectrometer and chemical shifts are expressed in ppm units using TMS as an internal reference. The DMSO-d₆ used as a solvent. Mass spectrometry (MS) were recorded on a GC-MS QP1000 EX Shimadzu.

General procedure for synthesis

N-phthaloylamino acid (1a to 1c)

An equimolar ratio of phthalic of phthalic anhydride and amino acids (D-glycine, D-alanine, and D-valine) were used and reacted under fusion conditions in an oil bath at temperatures between 170 °C and 190 °C for 30 minutes. Chromatography (TLC) was utilized to observe the reaction. The solution is poured into ice, filtered, and then washed with distilled water. The final product is dried and re-crystallized from ethanol.

2-(1, 3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl) acetic acid (1a)

White crystal, yield 70%, mp 191-193 °C, ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 300 MHz): δ 4.73 (s, 2 H, CH₂), 7.87 (m, 4 H, Ar-H), MS: m/z: 205.04 (100 %) and 206.04 (10.8 %), Anal. Calcd. for C₁₀H₇NO₄: Found: C, 58.54%, H, 3.44 %; N, 6.83 %, and O, 31.19 %. Calculated: C 58.54%, H, 3.44%; N, 6.83%, and O, 31.19%. 

2-(1, 3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl) propionic acid (1b)

White crystal, yield 60%, mp 153-155 °C, ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 300 MHz): δ 1.33 (d, 3H, CH₃), 5.13 (q, 1 H, CH), 7.88 (m, 4 H, Ar-H), MS: m/z: 219.05 (100 %), 220.06 (11.9 %), Anal. For C₁₁H₉NO₄; Found: C, 60.31%, H, 4.16%; N, 6.40%, and O, 29.19%. Calculated: C, 60.28%, H, 4.14%; N, 6.39%, and O, 29.2%.

2-(1, 3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl) succinic acid (1c)

White crystal, yield 65%, mp 200-202 °C, (DMSO-d₆, 300 MHz): δ 3.09 (d, 2 H, CH₂), 5.58 (t, 1 H, CH), 7.88 (m,4 H, Ar-H), MS: m/z: 263.04 (100 %), 264.05 (13.0 %), and 265.05 (1.2%), Anal. For C₁₃H₁₃NO₄: Found: C, 54.76 %, H, 3.45 %; N, 5.32%, and O, 36.47%. Calculated: C, 63.15%, H, 5.3%; N, 5.67%, and O, 25.88%.

Benzimdazoles (2a to 2c)

In a round-bottom flask (250 mL), 0.01 mL of o-phenylene diamine, 0.01 mL N-phthaloylamino acid, and 5 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid were put. The solution was refluxed for 2 hours, the reaction solution was cooled, and 10% of sodium hydroxide was slowly added to the flask with constant stirring. The pH was monitored using a pH meter to reach an alkaline level. Thereafter, the final solution is filtered, and then washed with cold water affording the product.

2-((1l2, 3l4-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) methyl) isoindoline-1, 3-dione (2a)

Pale orange crystal, yield 76%, mp 220-222 °C, ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 300 MHz): δ 5.28 (s, 2 H, -CH₂), 6.18-7.70 (m, 4 H, Benzimidazole-H), 7.87-7.88 (m, 4 H, Isoindole-H), MS: m/z: 277.28 (100 %) and 278.28 (11.9 %), Anal. For C₁₆H₁₁N₃O₂: Found: C, 69.31%, H, 3.98%; N, 15.15%, and O, 11.53%. Calculated: C, 69.31%, H, 4%; N, 15.15%, and O, 11.54%s.

2-(1-(1l2, 3l4-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) ethyl) isoindoline-1,3-dione (2b)

Brown crystal, yield 75%, mp 230-231 °C, ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 300 MHz): δ 1.44 (d, 3 H, CH₃), 5.65 (q, 1 H, CH), 6.93-7.70 (m, 4 H, Benzimidazole-H), 7.87-7.88 (m, 4 H, isoindole-H), MS: m/z: 291.30 (100 %) and 292.30 (11.5%), Anal. For C₁₇H₁₃N₃O₂: Found: C, 70.03%, H, 4.42%; N, 14.39%, and O, 11.01%. Calculated: C, 70.09%, H, 4.5%; N, 14.42%, O, 10.98%.

3-(1l2, 3l4-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-3-(1, 3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)propanoic acid (2c)

Pale orange crystal, yield 70%, mp 246-248 °C, ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 300 MHz): δ 3.03 (d, 2 H; -CH₂), 5.84 (t, 1 H, CH), 6.94-7.70 (m, 4 H; Benzimidazole-H), and 7.88-7.94 (m, 4 H; Isoindole-H), MS: m/z: 335.31 (100 %) and 336.30, Anal. For C₁₈H₁₃N₃O₄: Found: C, 64.42%, H, 3.88%; N, 12.54%, and O, 19.11%. Calculated: C, 64.48%, H, 3.91%; N, 12.53%, and O, 19.09%.

2-[(4'-aminobiphenyl-4-yl)carbamoyl]benzoic acid  (3a)

In a round-bottom flask, 1.48 g of phthalic anhydride, 0.05 mL benzidine, and 50 mL acetic acid were put, and then the solution was refluxed for two hours. The obtained solution was poured into ice, filtered, and washed with cold water affording the complex.

2-[(4'-aminobiphenyl-4-yl) carbamoyl] benzoic acid (3a)

Brown crystal, yield 80%, mp 251-253 °C, ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆, 300 MHz): δ 6.90-7.21 (m, 4 H, Terminal Phenylene-H), 7.45-7.87 (m, 4 H, Middle phenylene-H), 7.59-7.83 (m, 4 H, Benzoic-H). MS: m/z: 332.04 (100 %) and 333.04 (12.9 %). Anal. For C₂₀H₁₆N₂O₃: Found: C, 72.20%; H, 4.83%; N, 8.41%, and O, 14.46%. Calculated: C, 72.28%; H, 4.85%; N, 8.43%, and O, 14.44%.

Results and Discussion

The process used to synthesize seven types of compounds with a help of phthalic anhydride and different types of amino acids at a high temperature showed moderate to good yield while the 3a product show a high yield compared to other products reached to 80%. Schemes 1, 2, and 3 showed the processes for synthesizing all compounds. Scheme 1 shows the synthesized of N-phthaloylamino acid (1a to 1c). The values of elemental analysis (calculated values) of 3 compounds (1a to 1c) are in agreement with the obtained values.

Table 1 presents the physical properties of 3 compounds (1a to 1c) and Table 2 lists the name of the compound, molecular formula, and molecular structure of 3 compounds. Tables 1, 3, and 5 present the physical properties of compounds, and also Tables 2, 4, and 6 list the name of the compound as well as molecular formula and structure of the compounds.

Scheme 2 shows the synthesis of Benzimdazoles (2a to 2c). The elemental analysis values for 3 compounds (2a to 2c) are in agreement with the obtained values.

Table 3 provides the physical properties of 3 compounds (2a to 2c) and Table 4 shows the name of compound, molecular formula, and molecular structure of 3 compounds.

Scheme 3 shows the synthesized of 2-[(4'-aminobiphenyl-4-yl)carbamoyl]benzoic acid (3a). Therefore, the elemental analysis values for 3a product are in agreement with the obtained values. Table 5 presents the physical properties of 3a, and also Table 6 lists the name of compound, molecular formula, and molecular structure of the 3a.

Antibacterial activity

The seven synthesized compounds of N-substituted phthalimide derivatives were examined against some types of bacteria such S. aureus, P. aeruginosa (gram-positive), E. coli, and K. pneumonia (gram-negative). The activity of synthesized compounds exhibited good activity in both types of bacterial and the (3a) compound showed better inhibitory activity against S.aureus and P. aeruginosa bacterial more than the other 6 compounds (Figure 2) while the 3 compounds (2a to 2c) exhibited better inhibitory activity against E .coli and K. pneumonia more than other compounds (Figure 3). The results of antibacterial activity indicated the synthesized N-substituted phthalimide possess good activity toward microorganism due to the structural properties and the functional groups of the synthesized compound. Table 7 indicates the zone of inhibition in mm for both kinds of bacteria and Figures 2 and 3 display the inhibition zone of gram-positive and gram-negative, respectively.

Antibacterial activity

The synthesized compounds of N-substituted phthalimide were screened against two kinds of bacteria. The disc diffusion approach was to study the compounds activity. Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are used in the work. The inhibition zone was observed and measured after 24 hours from incubation and the results were compared to DMSO which is used as a standard.

Conclusion

In this study, a number of N-substituted phthalimide derivatives were synthesized. A high yield was found for seven products and it was found between 60% and 80%. The structure of synthesized compounds was identified by helping of ¹H-NMR, mass spectrometry, and other physicochemical properties. The biological activity of the products was examined and the results show good inhibitory activity against used bacteria.

Academic Contribution

In the current work, we seek to synthesize new phthalimide complexes due to the importance of these complexes in various applications, especially in the field of pharmacy and biology because of the biological properties of these compounds and their containment of functional groups that contribute and help to prepare some combinations of medicine and treatment of some diseases like inflammatory, Alzheimer, cancer, and others.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the management and staff of the Chemistry Department in Benghazi University for their constant motivation and support.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Authors' Contributions

All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting, and revising of the paper and agreed to be responsible for all the aspects of this work.

Orcid

Hussniya A.AlDifar

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8685-1994

Basma S.Baaiu

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1675-4670

Khalid M. A. Darwish

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6518-6836

Mohamad F.Ali

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6327-7264

Othman O.Dakhil

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4656-6985

Mansour Abd-Alsalam

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6126-2771

Haneen Al Difar

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8039-158X

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Hussniya A.AlDifar, Basma S.Baaiu, Khalid M. A. Darwish, Mohamad F.Ali, Othman O.Dakhil, Mansour Abd-Alsalam, Haneen Al Difar. Synthesis of Benzimidazole and Phthaloylamino Acid derivatives and Antibacterial Activity. J. Med. Chem. Sci., 2023, 6(9) 1975-1984

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26655/JMCHEMSCI.2023.9.6

URL: http://www.jmchemsci.com/article_168772.html