Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of N-substituted-β-amino acid derivatives containing 2-hydroxyphenyl, benzo[b]phenoxazine and quinoxaline moieties

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules20023170

3-[(2-Hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanoic and 3-[(2-hydroxy-5-methyl(chloro)phenyl)amino]butanoic acids were converted to a series of derivatives containing hydrazide, pyrrole and chloroquinoxaline moieties. The corresponding benzo[b]phenoxazine derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of the obtained compounds with 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone. Five of the synthesized compounds exhibited good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium luteum, whereas three compounds showed significant antifungal activity against Candida tenuis and Aspergillus niger.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules20023170

Molecules 2015, 20, 3170-3189; doi:10.3390/molecules20023170
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of N-Substituted-β-amino
Acid Derivatives Containing 2-Hydroxyphenyl,
Benzo[b]phenoxazine and Quinoxaline Moieties
Kristina Mickevičienė 1, Rūta Baranauskaitė 2, Kristina Kantminienė 1,*, Maryna Stasevych 3,
Olena Komarovska-Porokhnyavets 3 and Volodymyr Novikov 3
1
Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology,
Kaunas 50254, Lithuania; E-Mail: kristina.mickeviciene@ktu.lt
2
Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas 50254, Lithuania;
E-Mail: ruta.baranauskaite7@gmail.com
3
Department of Technology of Biologically Active Substances, Pharmacy and Biotechnology,
Lviv Politechnic National University, Lviv-13 79013, Ukraine;
E-Mails: vnovikov@polynet.lviv.ua (M.S.); olkomarovska@gmail.com (O.K.-P.);
vnovikov@polynet.lviv.ua (V.N.)
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: kristina.kantminiene@ktu.lt;
Tel.: +370-37-300178; Fax: +370-37-300152.
Academic Editor: Derek J. McPhee
Received: 8 January 2015 / Accepted: 4 February 2015 / Published: 13 February 2015
Abstract:
3-[(2-Hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanoic
and
3-[(2-hydroxy-5-
methyl(chloro)phenyl)amino]butanoic acids were converted to a series of derivatives
containing hydrazide, pyrrole and chloroquinoxaline moieties. The corresponding
benzo[b]phenoxazine derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of the obtained
compounds with 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone. Five of the synthesized compounds
exhibited good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium
luteum, whereas three compounds showed significant antifungal activity against Candida
tenuis and Aspergillus niger.
Keywords: heterocycles; 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives; hydrazones; antibacterial
activity; fungicides

Molecules 2015, 20
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1. Introduction
The frequency of bacterial and fungal infections is an important contemporary problem due
to the emerging new infectious diseases and increasing multi-drug resistance of microbial
pathogens [1]. The widespread use of antibiotics has contributed to the growing infection rate since
fungal infections occur after antibiotic therapy, which has the effect of killing the beneficial bacteria
that normally suppress fungi. The development of new effective antifungal and antibacterial agents is
strongly needed.
β-Amino acids and their derivatives are structural units of various natural compounds, such as
peptides, depsipeptides, lactones, alkaloids, and antibiotics. Bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and plants
often incorporate β-amino acids into secondary metabolites. Many natural compounds characterized by
potent biological activities are active thanks to the presence of β-amino acid substructure [2].
Benzoquinone and naphthoquinone fragments are also often incorporated into the structure of
natural biologically active compounds. In most cases, the biological activity of quinones is related to
their ability to accept one and/or two electrons to form the corresponding radical anion or dianion
species, as well as the acid-base properties of the compounds. The variable capacity of quinone
compounds to accept electrons is due to the electron-attracting (or donating) substituents at the
quinone moiety, which modulate the redox properties responsible for the resulting oxidative stress [3].
Redox properties of quinones can be tuned by their substituents [4].
Different 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives have been reported as potent anticancer [5,6], antifungal [7,8],
antibacterial [9–13], antiviral [14,15], and antiprotozoal therapeutic agents [16], as well as cholesterol
acyltransferase inhibitors [17].
Quinoxaline and its derivatives are important nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds possessing
various biologically interesting properties with several pharmaceutical applications. The biological
applications of quinoxaline compounds include antimicrobial [18,19], anti-inflammatory [20,21],
antitubercular [22], anticancer [23], and antitumor agents [24,25].
Hydrazone derivatives of heteroaromatic compounds have also been reported to possess
anti-inflammatory [26,27], anticancer [28], antitumor [29], antibacterial or plant-growth activity [30,31].
Herein, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of new β-amino acid derivatives
containing aromatic, heterocyclic moiety and/or naphthoquinone fragments. The structures of the
synthesized compounds were unambiguously confirmed by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR,
1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy.
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Chemistry
3-[(2-Hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanoic acids 2a–c were obtained by the reaction of the
corresponding amines 1a–c with crotonic acid (Scheme 1). The reactions were carried out under reflux
in water without using organic solvents and the products were isolated by crystallization. Usually,
synthesis of carboxylic acid hydrazides from esters is more facile than the one from acids.
However, attempts to synthesize methyl 3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanoate (3) by esterification
reaction of 3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanoic acid (2a) with methanol in the presence of a catalytic

Molecules 2015, 20
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amount of sulfuric acid were unsuccessful. The target product was obtained as an oily residue and
required tedious work-up procedure. Furthermore, the subsequent reaction of 3 with hydrazine
hydrate gave a complex mixture of products, from which it was not possible to isolate
3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanehydrazide (4). Therefore, hydrazide 4 was prepared from 2a by
heating it under reflux with hydrazine hydrate in toluene. The residual semisolid obtained was used in
subsequent reactions without further purification. The formation of ester 3 was confirmed by the
presence of a singlet at 3.57 ppm attributable to the OCH3 group protons in the 1H-NMR spectrum.
Scheme 1. Transformation reactions of 3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]-butanoic acids 2a–c
and synthesis of ethyl-3-[(2-hydroxy-5-substitutedphenyl)amino]but-2-enoates 8a–c.
Hydrazones 5d–g were synthesized, under reflux conditions, by condensation of hydrazide 4 with
different aromatic aldehydes in 2-propanol (Scheme 1). Compounds 5d–g having an azomethine group
appear as a mixture of E and Z isomers in solution [10,32,33] as it has been proven by their NMR
spectra. For example, two doublets attributable to the CH3 group protons at 1.18 ppm (E isomer) and
1.22 ppm (Z isomer), and two doublets of doublets attributable to the CH2 group protons at 2.64 ppm
1
and 3.08 ppm are observed in the H-NMR spectrum for 5d. The NH group proton resonated as a
1
doublet at 4.53 ppm. Protons of the CH, OH, and NH-N groups gave double sets of H-NMR
resonances at 8.01 ppm (E) and 8.18 (Z), 9.22 ppm (Z) and 9.25 (E), 11.35 (Z) and 11.43 ppm (E),
13
respectively, as well. The full set of resonances for each isomer is present in the C-NMR spectrum
1
13
for 5d. In the H- and C-NMR spectra for 5f and 5g, the pattern of chemical resonances indicating
the formation of E/Z isomers in the solution, is analogues to the one for 5d. The intensity ratio of the
signals in all cases is 3:2 and the Z isomer prevails.

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N-(2,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanamide 6 was synthesized by the
reaction of 4 with 2,5-hexanedione. The formation of pyrrole ring in compound 6 has been confirmed
by the 1H-NMR signal at 5.62 ppm attributable to two aromatic protons.
3-{{2-[(3-Chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenyl}amino}butanoic acids 7a–c were synthesized by the
reaction of acids 2a–c with 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline. The characteristic singlets attributable to the
phenolic OH groups in the 1H-NMR spectra for compounds 2a–c are absent in the 1H-NMR spectra for
7a–c. The formation of compounds 7a–c has been confirmed also by the increased intensity by four
protons of the signals in the aromatic region.
3-(2-Hydroxyphenylamino)but-2-enoates 8a–c were prepared by the reaction of the corresponding
2-aminophenols 1a–c with ethyl 3-oxobutanoate. The best results were gotten when the reactions were
carried out in toluene under reflux conditions. After elimination of the solvent, the products were
obtained by crystallization in hexane. The formation of compounds 8a–c has been confirmed by the
presence of the resonances attributable to the protons of the =CCH3 group at approx. 2 ppm in the
1H-NMR spectra and the carbon atom signals of the methyl group at approx. 20 ppm in the 13C-NMR
spectra. The presence of the double bond has been confirmed by the proton signal attributable to the
1
methine group at approx. 4.5 ppm in the H-NMR spectra. In the 13C-NMR spectra, carbon of this
group resonated at approx. 86 ppm, whereas the carbon resonance at approx. 160 ppm was attributed
1
to the =ССH3 group. The H-NMR spectra of compounds 8a–c display double sets of chemical
resonances indicating that these compounds exist as a mixture of E/Z isomers in the DMSO-d6
solution. The intensity ratio of the chemical resonances is 1:4 (8a) and 1.5:8.5 (8b and 8c), and Z
isomer is the prevailing one.
Condensation of compounds 2a–c, 5d–g, 6, and 8a–c with 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone by
three different methods was investigated (Scheme 2).
Scheme 2. Synthesis of benzo[b]phenoxazine derivatives.

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3-(2-Substituted-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanoic acids 9a–c were
prepared by the reactions of 3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]-butanoic acids 2a–c with 2,3-dichloro-1,4-
naphthoquinone in dimethylsulfoxide at room temperature in the presence of sodium carbonate.
Reaction mixtures were diluted with water, filtered off and the filtrates were acidified with acetic acid
up to pH 6. Acids 9a–c are unstable under strong alkaline conditions and decompose to colourless
compounds. Therefore, sodium carbonate was used in the work-up instead of sodium hydroxide. The
synthesized compounds were purified by dissolving them in aqueous sodium carbonate solution and
acidifying the filtrate with acetic acid to pH 6. The synthesis of 3-(6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-
benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanoic acid (9a) has been reported previously [34]. Its solution was
found to stimulate the growth of barley at a concentration of 1.5 mg/L and it also increased the content
of flavonoids.
Since compounds 9a–c are unstable in acidic and alkaline media, they were treated with iodoetane
in the presence of sodium carbonate to furnish ethyl 3-(2-substituted-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-
benzo[b]phenoxazin-12yl)butanoates 10a–c.
The reactions of aminocrotonates 8a–c and 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone in the presence of
sodium carbonate afforded corresponding derivatives 11a–c. In analogous way 12d and 13 were
synthesized from 5d and 6, respectively.
Some of the hydrazones did not react with 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone in DMSO. The
attempts to synthesize the target products by the reaction in acetone, under reflux conditions, in the
presence of sodium carbonate were unsuccessful. Therefore, sodium acetate was used as a base instead
of sodium carbonate. Thus, N′-substituted-3-(6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-
yl)butanehydrazides 12e–g were synthesized. Compounds 9a–c could also be prepared by this method,
but the reaction in DMSO was more facile, took place at room temperature and the work-up procedure
was more simple. The 1H-NMR spectra have shown that in the DMSO-d6 solution compounds 11c and
12d–g exist as a mixture of E/Z isomers in the ratio 1:4 (11c) and 3:7 (12d–g) as reflected by the
intensity of the resonance lines, and Z isomer is the prevailing one.
The structures of compounds 9–13 have been confirmed by the absence of the OH group proton
1
singlets, which are present in the H-NMR spectra of the precursors 2a–c, 5d–g, 6, and 8a–c, and the
increased intensity of the signals of the aromatic protons.
2.2. Biological Study
The synthesized compounds 5d–g, 6, 7a–c, 9a–c, 10a–c, 11a–c, 12d–g, and 13 were evaluated for
their antibacterial and antifungal activity against Escherichia coli В-906, Staphylococcus aureus
209-Р, Mycobacterium luteum В-917, Candida tenuis VKM Y-70 and Aspergillus niger VKM F-1119
strains by the diffusion [35] and serial dilution method (determination of minimum inhibitory
concentration MIC) [36]. Their activity was compared to that of the known antibacterial agent
vancomycin and the antifungal agent nystatin.
The test-culture E. coli had low sensitivity only to the compounds 9c and 11b (d = 8 mm) at a
concentration of 0.5% (diffusion method). The compounds 9a–c, 10c, and 12f had good activity
against strain S. aureus at a concentration of 0.5% (diffusion method) and compounds 12d, 12e, 12g
were found to exhibit low antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The strain M. luteum was most

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sensitive to compounds 9a–c, 10b,c, 12f,g, and 13 at a concentration of 0.5% and low sensitive to
compounds 7b,c. Other compounds had no antibacterial activity against S. aureus and M. luteum at 0.5%
and 0.1% concentrations evaluated by the diffusion method. The results obtained are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds determined by diffusion
method (only compounds that gave positive results at least in one case are included in
the table).
Inhibition Diameter of Microorganism Growth (mm)
Compound Conc. (%)
Bacteria
Fungi
E. coli
S. aureus M. luteum C. tenuis
A. niger
0.5
0
0
0
13.0 (b/s)
0
12.0 (f/s)
7b
0.1
0
0
0
0
0.5
0
0
16.0 (b/s)
0
10.0 (f/s)
7c
0.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.5
0
22.4
15.4
24.4
14.4
23.4
14.0
0
15.0
12.0 (f/s)
9a
0.1
0
0
0
0
0.5
0
19.4
0
0
9b
0.1
0
10.0 (b/s)
0
0
0.5
8.0
23.0
20.0 (f/s)
0
9c
0.1
0
0
15.0 (f/s)
0
0.5
0
7.0 (b/s)
0
0
10a
0.1
0
0
0
0
0
0.5
0
0
11.4
0
0
10b
0.1
0
0
6.0
0
0
0.5
0
23.7
18.7
0
20.7
0
0
10c
0.1
0
10.0 (b/s)
0
0
0.5
0
0
0
10.0 (f/s)
0
11a
0.1
0
0
0
0
0
0.5
8.0 (b/s)
0
0
0
11b
0.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.5
8.0
7.0 (b/s)
7.7
0
0
0
0
12d
0.1
0
0
0
0
0.5
0
0
0
0
12e
0.1
0
0
0
0
0.5
0
24.0
13.4
11.7
7.7
0
15.4
6.0
13.0
10.0
11.0
0
0
0
12f
0.1
0
0
0
0.5
0
0
24.4
20.0
0
12g
0.1
0
0
0.5
0
0
13
0.1
0
0
0
0
C *
0.1
14.0
15.0
18.0
19.0
20.0
Notes: * Vancomycin was used as a control in the tests of antibacterial acitvity of the synthesized
compounds, and nystatin was used in the tests of antifungal activity; b/s—bacteriostatic activity;
f/s—fungistatic activity.

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The results for the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) by the serial dilution
method are provided in Table 2. All compounds, except 9c and 11c (500 µg/mL), showed no inhibition
action against E. coli. Compounds 5d–g, 6 didn’t show inhibition action against the S. aureus bacterial
strain at any concentration. Compounds 9b, 9c, 10c, 12f showed MIC against S. aureus at a
concentration of 31.2 µg/mL. Compounds 9a, 7b, and 7a,c were active at 62.5 µg/mL, 250 µg/mL, and
500 µg/mL, respectively. Compounds 9a–c, 10b, 12f showed MIC against M. luteum at a
concentration of 62.5 µg/mL, whereas MIC concentration for 13 was 15.6 µg/mL, the one for 10c and
12g was 31.2 µg/mL. Compounds 7a, c were active at 250 µg/mL, and 5d,f, 6, 7b showed MIC at
500 µg/mL.
Table 2. Bactericidal activity of the synthesized compounds determined by serial
dilution method (only compounds that gave positive results at least in one case are
included in the table).
E. coli
S. aureus
M. luteum
Comp.
MIC (µg/mL)
5d
5f
+
+
+
500.0
500.0
500.0
250.0
500.0
250.0
62.5
62.5
62.5
62.5
31.2
+
+
6
+
+
7a
+
500.0
250.0
500.0
62.5
31.2
31.2
+
7b
7c
+
+
+
9a
9b
9c
+
500.0
+
10b
10c
11c
12f
12g
13
+
31.2
+
500.0
+
31.2
+
62.5
31.2
15.6
7.8
+
+
+
C *
31.2
3.9
Notes: +: Growth of microorganisms; * Vancomycin was used as a control.
Antifungal activity (Table 1) (diffusion method) against C. tenuis was observed only for compounds
9a, 9c, and 11a at a 0.5% concentration. The test-culture A. niger appeared to be insensitive to all
compounds except 12 g at 0.5% and 0.1% concentrations. MIC against test-culture C. tenuis of 9b and
9c was observed at 31.2 µg/mL, the ones for 9a, 6, 11a, and 11b were observed at 15.6 µg/mL,
125 µg/mL, 250 µg/mL, and 500 µg/mL, respectively. Evaluation of antifungal activity of compounds
showed that 12 g had MIC at 3.9 µg/mL, 11a, 12f at 62.5 µg/mL, and 7a, 9c, 11c, 12e at 125 µg/mL,
9a, 10a at 250 µg/mL for A. niger. For other compounds growth of fungi was observed at the
investigated concentrations. Results are presented in Table 3.

Molecules 2015, 20
Table 3. Fungicidal activity of the synthesized compounds determined by serial
3177
dilution method (only compounds that gave positive results at least in one case are
included in the table).
C. tenuis
A. niger
Compound
MIC (µg/mL)
6
125.0
+
+
7a
125.0
250.0
+
9a
15.6
31.2
31.2
+
9b
9c
125.0
250.0
62.5
+
10a
11a
11b
11c
12e
12f
12g
C *
250.0
500.0
+
125.0
125.0
62.5
3.9
+
+
+
7.8
15.6
Notes: +: Growth of microorganisms; * Nystatin was used as a control.
The structure activity relationship study of these compounds has shown that introduction of the
substituent into the benzo[b]phenoxazine moiety increases the antibacterial activity.
3-[(2-Hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanoic acid derivatives do not possess antimicrobial activity, whereas
products of their condensation with 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone do exhibit antimicrobial action.
The comparison of the activity of acids 9a–c with the one of esters 10a–c has shown that acids are
more active against S. aureus and M. luteum. However, the presence of chlorine atom at the second
position intensifies the antibacterial effect for esters, but does not influence the one for acids. On the
other hand, esters 11a–c, containing a double bond, are inactive against the tested bacteria strains and
show moderate activity just against A. niger. As the comparison of benzo[b]phenoxazine derivatives
with hydrazine moiety has revealed, the ones containing aromatic substituents are inactive against both
bacteria and fungi. As it could be expected, benzo[b]phenoxazine derivatives containing hydrazide
moiety with furan and thiophen substituents have shown significant antifungal activity against
A. niger. Whereas, the pyrrole moiety has increased the activity against M. luteum.
3. Experimental Section
3.1. General Information
Melting points were determined on a Mel-Temp melting point apparatus (Electrochemical, A Bibby
1
13
Scientific Company, Burlington, NJ, USA) and are uncorrected. The H- and C-NMR spectra were
recorded on a Varian Unity Inova (300 MHz, 75 MHz) and AvanceIII 400 (400 MHz, 100 MHz)
spectrometers operating in the Fourier transform mode, using TMS as an internal standard. Chemical
shifts are expressed in parts per million (ppm, δ units). IR spectra (ν, cm–1) were recorded on a Perkin
Elmer Spectrum BX FT-IR spectrometer using KBr tablets. Mass spectra were obtained on a Waters

Molecules 2015, 20
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ZQ 2000 spectrometer (Micromass, Milford, MA, USA) using ESI technique. TLC was performed on
Fluka Silica gel plates on TLC Alu foils, 60 Å, F254. Silica gel (Fluka, 230–400 mesh particle size,
pore size 60 Å) was used for column chromatography.
3.2. Chemistry
3-[(2-Hydroxy-5-substitutedphenyl)amino]butanoic acids (2a–c) were prepared as described in [37].
Their melting points and 1H-NMR spectra were identical to those described in [37].
Methyl 3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanoate (3): A mixture of 3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanoic
acid 2a (1.95 g, 0.01 mol), methanol (20 mL) and catalytic amount of conc. H2SO4 was refluxed for
6 h. Then the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The precipitate was neutralized with 10%
Na2CO3 solution. The crude product was extracted with diethyl ether. Yield 0.636 g (33%); liquid;
Rf = 0.65 (acetone–hexane, 1:1); IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3391 (OH), 2955 (NH), 2730 (OCH3), 1732, 1715
1
(CO); H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.17 (d, 3H, J = 6.4 Hz, CH3), 2.44 (dd, 1H, J = 6.9,
15.0 Hz, CH2), 2.63 (dd, 1H, J = 6.9, 15.0 Hz, CH2), 3.60 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.87–3.77 (m, 1H, CHCH2),
4.45 (d, 1H, J = 9.7 Hz, NH), 6.41–6.68 (m, 4H, Haromatic), 9.26 (s, 1H, OH). Anal. Calcd. (%) for
C11H15NO3: C, 63.14; H, 7.23; N, 6.69%. Found: C, 63.24; H, 7.31; N, 6.52%.
3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanehydrazide (4). Method A: A mixture of acid 2a (1.95 g, 0.01 mol)
and 98% hydrazide hydrate (1.25 g, 0.025 mol) in toluene (30 mL) was refluxed for 14 h. The residual
semisolid obtained was used in subsequent reactions without further purification. Method B: A mixture
of ester 3 (0.636 g, 3.3 mmol), 2-propanol (20 mL) and 98% hydrazine hydrate (0.25 g, 5 mmol) was
refluxed for 5 h. The reaction mixture was cooled, the liquid fraction was decanted and oily residue
was obtained.
3.2.1. General Procedure for Synthesis of N'-Aryl-3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanehydrazides (5d–g)
A mixture of 3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanehydrazide (4), corresponding arylaldehyde
(0.015 mol) and 2-propanol (30 mL) was heated under reflux for 3 h. The reaction mixture was cooled
down, the precipitate was filtered off and washed with 2-propanol and diethyl ether or the solvent was
evaporated under reduced pressure and the product was purified by column chromatography
(acetone–hexane, 1:1).
N'-Benzylidene-3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanehydrazide (5d). Yield 0.25 g (13.5%), m.p.:
92–93 °C; Rf = 0.58 (acetone–hexane, 1:1); IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3396 (OH), 2976 (CONH), 2927 (NH),
1
1648 (CO); H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.18 (d, (1.2)3H (E), J = 6.3 Hz, CH3), 1.22 (d,
(1.8)3H (Z), J = 6.3 Hz, CH3), 2.64 (dd, 1H, J = 7.6, 14.4 Hz, CH2), 3.08 (dd, 1H, J = 5.4, 14.3 Hz,
CH2), 3.84–3.94 (m, 1H, CHCH2), 4.53 (d, 1H, J = 11.9 Hz, NH), 6.40–6.67 (m, 4H, Haromatic),
7.42–7.69 (m, 5H, Haromatic), 8.01 (s, (0.6)1H, (Z), NCH), 8.18 (s, (0.4)1H (E), NCH), 9.22 (s, (0.6)1H
(Z), OH) 9.25 (s, (0.4)1H (E), OH), 11.35 (s, (0.6)1H (Z), NHN), 11.43 (s, (0.4)1H (E), NHN);
13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 20.31 (CH3 (E)), 20.45 (CH3 (Z)), 41.22 (CH2), 45.41 (CH),
110.49, 110.66, 113.56, 115.88, 115.97, 119.70, 119.76, 126.78, 127.02, 128.84, 129.76, 129.97,
134.29, 136.08, 144.27 (Caromatic), 142.98 (NCH (Z)), 146.13 (NCH (E)), 167.18 (CO (E)), 172.92 (CO

Molecules 2015, 20
3179
(Z)); HRMS calculated for C17H19N3O2 [M+H]+ 298.1477 found 298.1551; Anal. Calcd. (%) for: C,
68.67; H, 6.44; N, 14.13, found: C, 68.70; H, 6.88; N, 14.31.
3-[(2-Hydroxyphenyl)amino]-N'-[4-methoxybenzylidene]butanehydrazide (5e). Yield 0.47 g (23%);
m.p.: 163–164 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3433 (OH), 2968 (CONH), 2968 (NH), 2838 (OCH3), 1619,
1
1602 (CO); H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.15 (d, (1.2)3H (E), J = 6.4 Hz, CH3), 1.21 (d,
(1.8)3H (Z), J = 6.6 Hz, CH3), 2.60 (dd, 1H, J = 7.5, 14.7 Hz, CH2), 3.05 (dd, 1H, J = 5.4, 14.3 Hz,
CH2), 3.82 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.90–3.95 (m, 1H, CHCH2), 4.52 (d, 1H, J = 11.9 Hz, NH), 6.39–6.68 (m,
4H, Haromatic), 7.58–7.63 (m, 4H, Haromatic), 8.32 (s, (0.6)1H, (Z), NCH), 8.43 (s, (0.4)1H (E), NCH),
9.21 (s, (0.6)1H (Z), OH) 9.25 (s, (0.4)1H (E), OH), 11.22 (s, (0.6)1H (Z), NHN), 11.29 (s, (0.4)1H
(E), NHN); HRMS calculated for C18H21N3O3 [M+H]+ 328.1583 found 328.1585; Anal. Calcd. (%)
for: C, 66.04; H, 6.47; N, 12.84, found: C, 66.10; H, 6.38; N, 12.91.
N'-[Furan-2-ylmethylene]-3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanehydrazide (5f). Yield 0.334 g (19%);
m.p.: 175–176 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3401 (OH), 2974 (CONH), 2934 (NH), 1628, 1609 (CO);
1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.14 (d, (1.2)3H (E), J = 6.3 Hz, CH3), 1.16 (d, (1.8)3H (Z),
J = 6.3 Hz, CH3), 2.73 (dd, 1H, J = 7.5, 14.7 Hz, CH2), 3.02 (dd, 1H, J = 5.1, 14.9 Hz, CH2), 3.76–3.87
(m, 1H, CHCH2), 4.60 (d, 1H, J = 11.0 Hz, NH), 5.84 (s, 1H, CH), 6.39–6.67 (m, 4H, Haromatic), 6.87
(s, 1H, CH), 7.82 (s, (0.6)1H (Z), NCH), 7.89 (s, (0.4)1H (E), NCH), 8.07 (s, 1H, CH), 9.30 (br. s, 1H,
OH), 11.29 (s, (0.6)1H (Z), NHN), 11.40 (s, (0.4)1H (E), NHN); HRMS calculated for C15H17N3O3
[M+H]+ 288.1270 found 288.1345; Anal. Calcd. (%) for: C, 62.71; H, 5.96; N, 14.63, found: C, 62.60;
H, 5.88; N, 14.71.
3-[(2-Hydroxyphenyl)amino]-N'-[thiophen-2-ylmethylene]butanehydrazide (5g). Yield 0.44 g (23%);
1
m.p.: 95–96 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3199 (OH), 3072 (CONH), 2970 (NH), 1660 (CO); H-NMR
(400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.17 (d, (1.2)3H (E), J = 6.3 Hz, CH3), 1.20 (d, (1.8)3H (Z), J = 6.4 Hz,
CH3), 2.28 (m, 1H, CH2), 3.01 (dd, 1H, J = 5.4, 14.2 Hz, CH2), 3.73–3.88 (m, 1H, CHCH2), 4.49 (d,
1H, J = 11.8 Hz, NH), 6.2–6.67 (m, 4H, Haromatic), 7.11 (s, 1H, CH), 7.63 (s, 1H, CH), 8.18 (s, (0.6)1H
(Z), NCH) , 8.19 (s, (0.4)1H (E), NCH), 8.4 (s, 1H, CH), 9.22 (br. s, 1H, OH), 11.30 (s, (0.6)1H (Z),
NHN), 11.38 (s, (0.4)1H (E), NHN); HRMS calculated for C15H17N3O2S [M+H]+ 304.1041 found
304.2612; Anal. Calcd. (%) for: C, 59.39; H, 5.65; N, 13.85, found: C, 59.70; H, 5.86; N, 13.61.
N-(2,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanamide (6):
A
mixture of
3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanehydrazide (4), hexane-2,5-dione (2.28 g, 0.02 mol) and 2-propanol
(20 mL) was heated under reflux for 6 h. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the
product was purified by column chromatography (acetone–hexane, 1:1). Yield 0.35 g (19.5%); m.p.:
154–155 °C; Rf = 0.28 (Ac:H, 1:2); IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3296 (OH), 2974 (CONH), 2866 (NH), 1686,
1
1654 (CO); H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.22 (d, 3H, J = 6.3 Hz, CH3), 1.94 (d, 6H,
J = 20.1 Hz, 2CH3), 2.39 (dd, 1H, J = 6.9, 14.0 Hz, CH2), 2.59 (dd, 1H, J = 5.9, 14.0 Hz, CH2), 3.90
(m, 1H, CHCH2), 4.53 (d, 1H, J = 11.9 Hz, NH), 5.62 (s, 2H, 2CH), 6.41–6.68 (m, 4H, Haromatic), 9.26
13
(s, 1H, OH), 10.68 (s, 1H, NHN); C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 11.45 (2CH3), 20.65 (CH3),
40.58 (CH2), 45.79 (CH), 103.38 (2CH), 110.93, 114.06, 116.45, 120.16, 136.35, 144.81 (Caromatic),

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127.10, 127.31 (NC), 170.58 (CO); HRMS calculated for C16H21N3O2 [M+H]+ 288.1634 found
288.1707; Anal. Calcd. (%) for: C, 66.88; H, 7.37; N, 14.62, found: C, 66.70; H, 7.28; N, 14.51.
3.2.2. General Procedure for Synthesis of 3-[(2-[{3-Chloroquinoxalin-2-yl}oxy]-5-
substitutedphenyl)amino]butanoic Acids 7a–c
A mixture of corresponding acid 2a–c (8 mmol), 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline (2.98 g, 15 mmol),
KOH (0.84 g, 15 mmol), and acetone (40 mL) was heated under reflux for 20 h, then cooled down
and diluted with water (80 mL). Undissolved precipitate was filtered off and the solution was
acidified with acetic acid to pH 6. The crystals were filtered off, washed with water, and recrystallized
from 2-propanol.
3-[(2-((3-Chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy)phenyl)amino]butanoic acid (7a). Yield 2.31 g (84%);
1
m.p.: 201–202 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3105 (OH), 2974 (NH), 1731 (CO); H-NMR (300 MHz,
DMSO-d6): δ = 1.60 (d, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 2.98–3.06 (dd, 1H, J = 7.3, 16.3 Hz, CH2), 3.16–3.24
(dd, 1H, J = 6.5, 16.3 Hz, CH2), 5.04–5.12 (m, 1H, CH), 6.92–7.58 (m, 8H, Haromatic), 12.32 (br s, 1H,
OH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 16.67 (CH3), 37.29 (CH2), 48.39 (CH), 99.42, 114.60,
116.31, 122.60, 124.87, 125.75, 126.08, 126.18, 127.71, 136.57, 139.22, 141.05, 142.61, 147.78
(Caromatic), 172.58 (CO). Anal. Calcd. (%) for C18H16ClN3O3: C, 60.42; H, 4.51; N, 11.74, found: C,
60.84; H, 4.74; N, 12.05.
3-[(2-((3-Chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy)-5-methylphenyl)amino]butanoic acid (7b). Yield 1.17 g (67%);
1
m.p.: 217–219 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 2973 (OH); 2922 (NH); 1708 (CO); H-NMR (300 MHz,
DMSO-d6): δ = 1.60 (d, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz, CHCH3), 2.27 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.01–3.09 (dd, 1H, J = 7.2,
16.3 Hz, CH2), 3.22–3.30 (dd, 1H, J = 6.8, 16.3 Hz, CH2), 5.00–5.07 (m, 1H, CH), 6.73 (d, 1H,
J = 8.9 Hz, NH), 6.86–7.57 (m, 7H, Haromatic), 12.28 (s, 1H, OH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d6):
δ = 16.70 (CHCH3), 20.61 (CH3), 37.15 (CH2), 48.47 (CH), 114.87, 116.01, 122.84, 125.73, 126.05,
126.14, 127.62, 129.50, 134.13, 136.57, 139.14, 140.44, 140.99, 147.85 (Caromatic), 172.48 (CO). Anal.
Calcd. (%) for C19H18ClN3O3: C, 61.38; H, 4.88; N, 11.30, found: C, 61.07; H, 5.10; N, 11.42.
3-[(5-Chloro-2-[(3-chloroquinoxalin-2-yl)oxy]phenyl)amino]butanoic acid (7c). Yield 1.58 g (77%);
1
m.p.: 195–196 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3066 (OH), 2975 (NH), 1707 (CO); H-NMR (300 MHz,
DMSO-d6): δ = 1.58 (d, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 2.94–3.02 (dd, 1H, J = 6.7, 16.4 Hz, CH2), 3.28–3.36
(dd, 1H, J = 7.1, 16.4 Hz, CH2), 4.91–4.98 (m, 1H, CH), 6.93 (d, 1H, J = 8.5 Hz, NH), 7.00–7.60 (m,
7H, Haromatic), 12.33 (s, 1H, OH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 16.72 (CH3), 37.27 (CH2), 49.21
(CH), 114.53, 117.54, 121.91, 125.95, 126.27, 126.47, 127.90, 128.66, 136.59, 139.04, 140.49, 141.63,
147.49, 151.20 (Caromatic), 172.62 (CO). Anal. Calcd. (%) for C18H15Cl2N3O3: C, 55.12; H, 3.85; N,
10.71, found: C, 55.84; H, 4.10; N, 10.78.
3.2.3. General Procedure for Synthesis of Ethyl-3-[(2-Hydroxy-5-substitutedphenyl)amino]but-2-
enoates (8a–c)
A mixture of corresponding 2-aminophenol 1a–c (0.1 mol), ethyl 3-oxobutanoate (19.5 g,
0.15 mol), acetic acid (0.5 mL) and toluene (100 mL) was heated under reflux for 3 h. Water generated

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during the course of the reaction was removed with Dean-Stark trap, the liquid fraction was evaporated
under reduced pressure. Residue was poured over with hexane (150 mL) and heated at reflux
temperature. The precipitate was filtered off and recrystallized from 2-propanol.
Ethyl-3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]but-2-enoate (8a). Yield 10.15 g (47%); m.p.: 95–96 °C IR (KBr),
ν, cm−1: 3232 (OH), 2978 (NH), 1636 (CO); 1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.08 (t, (0.2)3H (E),
J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.18 (t, (0.8)3H (Z), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.98 (s, (0.8)3H (Z), =CCH3), 2.32
(s, (0.2)3H (E), =CCH3), 3.88 (q, (0.2)2H (E), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 4.04 (q, (0.8)3H (Z), J = 7.1 Hz,
OCH2CH3), 4.44 (s, (0.2)1H (E), =CH), 4.64 (s, (0.8)1H (Z), =CH), 6.74–7.16 (m, 4H, Haromatic), 7.94
(s, (0.2)1H (E), OH), 9.64 (s, (0.2)1H (E), NH), 9.86 (s, (0.8)1H (Z), NH), 10.18 (s, (0.8)1H (Z), OH).
Anal. Calcd. (%) for C12H15NO3: C, 65.14; H, 6.83; N, 6.33, found: C, 65.53; H, 7.03; N, 6.44.
Ethyl-3-[(2-hydroxy5-methylphenyl)amino]but-2-enoate (8b). Yield 11.90 g (51%); m.p.: 103–104 °C;
1
IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3286 (OH), 3142 (NH), 1622 (CO); H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.08 (t,
(0.15)3H (E), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.18 (t, (0.85)3H (Z), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.97 (s, (0.85)3H
(Z), =CCH3), 2.00 (s, (0.15)3H (E), =CCH3), 2.19 (s, (0.85)3H (Z), 4-CH3), 2.30 (s, (0.15)3H (E),
4-CH3), 3.88 (q, (0.15)2H (E), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 4.03 (q, (0.85)3H (Z), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3),
4.41 (s, (0.15)1H (E), =CH), 4.62 (s, (0.85)1H (Z), =CH), 6.71–6.96 (m, 3H, Haromatic), 7.36, 7.90, 8.88,
9.19, 9.53, 9.59, 9.81, 10.13, 10.64 (9s, 2H, OH+NH). Anal. Calcd. (%) for C13H17NO3: C, 66.36; H,
7.28; N, 5.95, found: C, 66.07; H, 7.30; N, 6.37.
Ethyl-3-[(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]but-2-enoate (8c). Yield 13.3 g (52%); m.p.: 134–136 °C;
1
IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3250 (OH), 3159 (NH), 1620 (CO); H-NMR (300MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.09 (t,
(0.15)3H (E), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.18 (t, (0.85)3H (Z), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 2.05 (d, (0.85)3H
(Z), =CCH3), 2.07 (d, (0.15)3H (E), J = 0.6 Hz, =CCH3), 3.90 (q, (0.15)3H (E), J = 7.1 Hz,
OCH2CH3), 4.04 (q, (0.85)3H (Z), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 4.47 (q, (0.15)1H (E), J = 0.6 Hz, =CH),
4.84 (q, (0.85)1H (Z), J = 0.6 Hz, =CH), 6.81–7.00 (m, 3H, HAr), 8.78, 9.24, 9.55, 9.82, 10.10, 10.20,
10.23, 10.27, 10.92 (9s, 2H, OH+NH). Anal. Calcd. (%) for C12H14ClNO3: C, 56.37; H, 5.52; N, 5.48,
found: C, 56.00; H, 5.80; N, 5.73.
3.2.4. General Procedure for Synthesis of 3-(2-Substituted-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-
benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanoic Acids 9a–c
A mixture of the corresponding compound 2a–c (0.05 mol), 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone
(11.35 g, 0.05 mol), sodium carbonate (2.01 g, 0.019 mol), and dimethyl sulfoxide (20 mL) was stirred
at room temperature for 14 h. The reaction was quenched by diluting the reaction mixture with water,
causing the product to precipitate. The crude product was isolated by dissolving it in aqueous sodium
carbonate solution and acidifying filtrate with acetic acid up to pH 6.
3-(6,11-Dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanoic acid (9a). Yield 0.95 g (55%);
its melting point and 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra were identical to those described in [31].
3-(2-Methyl-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanoic acid (9b). Yield 4.73 g
(93%); m.p.: 169–170 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3312 (OH), 1724, 1673, 1625 (CO); 1H-NMR (300 MHz,

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DMSO-d6): δ = 1.49 (d, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz, CHCH3), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.59–2.67 (dd, 1H, J = 7.5,
16.3 Hz, CH2), 2.81–2.89 (dd, 1H, J = 6.8, 16.3 Hz, CH2), 4.08–4.19 (m, 1H, CH), 6.75–7.95 (m, 7H,
Haromatic), 12.25 (s, 1H, OH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 20.38 (CHCH3), 20.67 (CH3), 56.91
(CH2), 115.82 (CH), 120.63, 125.09, 125.14, 125.93, 129.95, 130.72, 131.33, 133.65, 133.92, 134.33,
136.22, 136.34, 145.45, 145.83 (2C+Caromatic), 172.57, 175.81, 180.91 (3CO). Anal. Calcd. (%) for
C21H17NO5: C, 69.41; H, 4.72; N, 3.85, found: C, 69.43; H, 4.80; N, 3.79.
3-(2-Chloro-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanoic acid (9c). Yield 3.12 g
(64%); m.p.: 214–215 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3195 (OH), 1723, 1669, 1642 (CO); 1H-NMR (300 MHz,
DMSO-d6): δ = 1.46 (d, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 2.53–2.61 (dd, 1H, J = 7.7, 16.1 Hz, CH2), 2.75–2.83
(dd, 1H, J = 6.7, 16.1 Hz, CH2), 4.08–4.19 (m, 1H, CH), 6.87–7.93 (m, 7H, Haromatic), 12.48 (s, 1H,
OH); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 20.69 (CH3), 57.59 (CH2), 61.70 (CH), 99.44, 117.36,
119.37, 124.38, 125.17, 126.01, 128.56, 129.85, 130.70, 133.71, 133.79, 134.02, 135.50, 145.32
(2C+Caromatic), 146.99, 175.69, 180.67 (3CO). Anal. Calcd. (%) for C20H14ClNO5: C, 62.59; H, 3.68; N,
3.65, found: C, 62.47; H, 3.82; N, 3.63.
3.2.5. General Procedure for Synthesis of Ethyl 3-(2-substituted-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-
benzo[b]phenoxazin-12yl)butanoates 10a–c
A mixture of corresponding butanoic acid 9a–c (0.033 mol), iodoethane (1.6 mL, 0.02 mol),
potassium carbonate (1.52 g, 0.011 mol), and acetone (10 mL) was heated under reflux for 3.5 h. The
liquid fraction was removed under reduced pressure. Water (20 mL) was poured over the residue; the
precipitate was filtered off and washed with water.
Ethyl 3-(6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanoate (10a). Yield 0.8 g (65%);
1
m.p.: 163–165 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 1726, 1657, 1630 (CO); H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 1.19
(t, 3H, J = 7.1 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.57 (d, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 2.63–2.71 (dd, 1H, J = 7.4, 15.9 Hz,
CHCH2), 3.00–3.06 (dd, 1H, J = 7.1, 15.9 Hz, CHCH2), 4.10–4.13 (m, 2H, CH2), 4.24–4.35 (m, 1H,
CH), 6.92–8.07 (m, 8H, Haromatic); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 14.05 (CH2CH3), 21.24 (CH3),
40.43 (CHCH2), 57.47 (CH2), 60.80 (CH), 116.87, 120.16, 124.94, 125.28, 125.88, 126.40, 130.38,
131.04, 131.88, 133.47, 133.70, 136.53, 146.54, 149.02 (2C+Caromatic), 171.18, 176.65, 181.21 (3CO).
Anal. Calcd. (%) for C22H19NO5: C, 70.02; H, 5.07; N, 3.71, found: C, 68.05; H, 4.85; N, 3.62.
Ethyl 3-(2-methyl-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanoate (10b). Yield
1
0.77 g (73%); m.p.: 88–90 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 1721, 1664, 1655 (CO); H-NMR (300 MHz,
DMSO-d6): δ = 1.06 (t, 3H, J = 7.1 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.50 (d, 3H, J = 6.8 Hz, CHCH3), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3),
2.69–2.77 (dd, 1H, J = 6.8, 16.0 Hz, CHCH2), 2.85–2.93 (dd, 1H, J = 7.5, 16.0 Hz, CHCH2),
13
3.96–4.01 (m, 2H, CH2), 4.03–4.12 (m, 1H, CH), 6.74–7.93 (m, 7H, Haromatic); C-NMR (75 MHz,
DMSO-d6): δ = 13.76 (CH2CH3), 20.36 (CHCH3), 20.98 (CH3), 30.59 (CH2), 60.04 (CH), 83.83,
98.55, 98.94, 99.41, 103.27, 115.81, 120.87, 120.71, 125.27, 131.11, 134.42, 140.96, 146.26, 170.74
(2C+Caromatic), 171.09, 179.88, 198.75 (3CO). Anal. Calcd. (%) for C23H21NO5: C, 70.58; H, 5.41; N,
3.58, found: C, 70.25; H, 5.53; N, 3.41.

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Ethyl 3-(2-chloro-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanoate (10c). Yield
1
0.66 g (62%); m.p.: 86–88 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 1731, 1666, 1625 (CO); H-NMR (300 MHz,
DMSO-d6): δ = 1.07 (t, 3H, J = 7.1 Hz, CH2CH3), 1.49 (d, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 2.72–2.80 (dd, 1H,
J = 6.9, 16.2 Hz, CHCH2), 2.85–2.92 (dd, 1H, J = 7.7, 16.2 Hz, CHCH2), 3.98–4.02 (m, 2H, CH2),
4.12–4.19 (m, 1H, CH), 6.89–7.94 (m, 7H, Haromatic); 13C-NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 13.75
(CH2CH3), 20.68 (CH3), 30.08 (CHCH2), 57.27 (CH2), 60.11 (CH), 117.40, 119.57, 124.62, 125.16,
125.19, 126.14, 128.69, 133.31, 133.86, 134.06, 135.18, 144.27, 145.57, 147.03 (2C+Caromatic), 170.64,
175.75, 180.59 (3CO). Anal. Calcd. (%) for C22H18ClNO5: C, 64.16; H, 4.41; N, 3.40, found: C, 64.59;
H, 3.96; N, 3.51.
3.2.6. General Procedure for the Synthesis of 11a–c, 12d and 13
A mixture of 8a–c, 5d or 6 (0.33 mmol), 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (0.075 g, 0.33 mmol),
sodium carbonate (0.20 g, 1.9 mmol), and DMSO (20 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 17 h.
The reaction was quenched by diluting the reaction mixture with water, causing the products to
precipitate. The precipitate was filtered off and washed with water. Compounds 11a–c were
recrystallized from acetone. Compounds 12d and 13 were purified by column chromatography
(acetone–hexane, 1:1).
Ethyl-3-(6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)but-2-enoate (11a) was synthesized
from 8a to afford 0.70 g (75%) of 11a; m.p.: 193–194 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 1712, 1671, 1639 (CO);
1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.19 (t, 3H, J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 2.42 (s, 3H, =CCH3), 4.10 (q,
2H, J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 5.88 (s, 1H, =CH), 6.92–7.02 (m, 4H, Haromatic); 7.77–7.97 (m, 4H,
13
Haromatic); C-NMR (75 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 14.12 (OCH2CH3), 18.69 (=CCH3), 59.62 (OCH2CH3),
112.72 (=CH), 116.83, 118.77, 125.40, 125.29, 125.88, 126.02, 130.04, 130.24, 130.59, 130.85,
131.08, 134.22, 144.48, 145.88 (2C+Caromatic), 159.83 (=CCH3), 165.89, 175.90, 178.81 (3CO). Anal.
Calcd. (%) for C22H17NO5: C, 70.39; H, 4.56; N, 3.73, found: C, 70.13; H, 4.79; N, 3.70.
Ethyl-3-(2-methyl-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)but-2-enoate (11b) was
synthesized from 8b to afford 2.32 g (66%) of 11b; m.p.: 207–209 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 1710, 1670,
1
1645 (CO); H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.20 (t, 3H, J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 2.19 (s, 3H,
CH3), 2.43 (s, 3H, =CCH3), 4.10 (q, 2H, J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 5.86 (s, 1H, =CH), 6.75–6.88,
7.80–7.97 (m, 7H, m, Haromatic). Anal. Calcd. (%) for C23H19NO5: C, 70.94; H, 4.92; N, 3.60, found: C,
71.03; H, 5.02; N, 3.75.
Ethyl-3-(2-chloro-6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)but-2-enoate (11c) was
synthesized from 8c to afford 3.08 g (86%) of 11c; m.p.: 208–209 °C; IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 1712, 1671,
1
1646 (CO); H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.05 (t, (0.8)3H (Z), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 1.21
(t, (0.2)3H (E), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 2.22 (d, (0.8)3H (Z), J = 1.0 Hz, =CCH3), 2.41 (d, (0.2)3H (E),
J = 1.0 Hz, =CCH3), 4.00 (q, (0.8)2H (Z), J = 7.1 Hz, OCH2CH3), 4.13 (q, (0.2)2H (E), J = 7.1 Hz,
OCH2CH3), 6.01 (q, (0.2)1H (E), J = 1.0 Hz, =CH), 6.24 (q, (0.8)1H (Z), J = 1.0 Hz, =CH), 6.41–6.98,
7.72–7.94 (m, 7H, Haromatic). Anal. Calcd. (%) for C22H16ClNO5: C, 64.48; H, 3.94; N, 3.42, found: C,
64.97; H, 4.19; N, 3.49.

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N'-Benzylidene-3-(6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanehydrazide
(12d)
was synthesized from 5d to afford 0.13 g (84%) of 12d; m.p.: 154 °C (decomp.); Rf = 0.74
(acetone–hexane, 1:1); IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3230 (CONH), 1693, 1668, 1635 (CO); 1H-NMR (400 MHz,
DMSO-d6): δ = 1.60 (d, (0.6)3H (E), J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 1.69 (d, (2.4)3H (Z), J = 7.0 Hz, CH3), 2.91
(d, 1H, J = 15.7 Hz, CH2), 3.57 (d, 1H, J = 15.7 Hz, CH2), 4.35–4.56 (m, 1H, CHCH2), 6.74–8.21
(m, 13H, Haromatic), 8.17 (s, 1H, CH), 11.29 (s, (0.7)1H (Z), NHN), 11.33 (s, (0.3)1H (E), NHN);
13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 20.63 (CH3 (E)), 21.39 (CH3 (E)), 37.28 (CH2), 57.42 (CH),
116.20, 120.36, 120.65, 124.95, 125.17, 126.04, 127.01, 128.54, 128.60, 129.49, 129.72, 130.36,
131.13, 132.56, 133.55, 133.82, 134.47, 136.77, 145.88 (2C+ Caromatic), 142.81 (CN (Z)), 148.66 (CN
(E)), 172.07, 175.98, 181.21 (3CO); HRMS calculated for C27H21N3O4 [M+H]+ 452.1532 found
452.1601; Anal. Calcd. (%) for: C, 71.83; H, 4.69; N, 9.31, found: C, 71.70; H, 4.28; N, 9.51.
N-(2,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-3-(6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-
yl)butanamide (13) was synthesized from 6 to afford 0.3 g (43%) of 13; m.p.: 185 °C (decomp.);
1
Rf = 0.69 (acetone–hexane, 1:1); IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3250 (CONH), 1704, 1666, 1644 (CO); H-NMR
(400 MHz, Acetone-d6): δ = 1.65 (d, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 1.99 (s, 6H, 2CH3), 3.18 (dd, 2H, J = 7.3,
15.7 Hz, CH2), 4.44–4.84 (m, 1H, CHCH2), 5.58 (s, 2H, 2CH), 6.81–7.13, 7.79–8.05 (m, 8H, Haromatic),
13
9.91 (d, 1H, J = 16.4 Hz, NHN); C-NMR (100 MHz, Acetone-d6): δ = 11.31 (2 CH3), 21.28 (CH3),
39.85 (CH2), 57.99 (CH), 103.97 (2CH), 117.37, 121.44, 125.37, 125.98, 126.20, 127.01, 131.49,
131.83, 132.45, 133.50, 134.46, 134.77, 136.83, 137.12 (2C+2C+Caromatic), 170.28, 174.03, 181.92
(3CO); HRMS calculated for C26H23N3O4 [M+H]+ 442.1689 found 442.1761; Anal. Calcd. (%) for: C,
70.74; H, 5.25; N, 9.52, found: C, 70.60; H, 5.38; N, 9.41.
3.2.7. General Procedure for Synthesis of N'-Substituted-3-(6,11-dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-
benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)butanehydrazides 12e–g
A mixture of the compound 5e–g (0.35 mmol), 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (0.08 g, 0.35 mmol),
sodium acetate (0.14 g, 1.75 mmol), and acetone (20 mL) was heated under reflux for 14 h. The liquid
fraction was removed under reduced pressure and the target product was isolated by column
chromatography (acetone–hexane, 1:1).
3-(6,11-Dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)-N'-(4-methoxybenzylidene)butanehydrazide
(12e). Yield 0.10 g (35.5%); m.p.: 146–147 °C; Rf = 0.60 (acetone–hexane, 1:1); IR (KBr), ν, cm−1:
1
2924 (CONH), 2852 (OCH3), 1667, 1625, 1604 (CO); H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.53 (d,
(0.6)3H (E), J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 1.62 (d, (2.4)3H (Z), J = 7.0 Hz, CH3), 2.76–2.92 (m, 1H, CH2), 3.43
(dd, 1H, J = 7.9, 15.5 Hz, CH2), 3.77 (s, 3H, OCH3), 4.22–4.38 (m, 1H, CHCH2), 7.83–7.97 (m, 13H,
Haromatic+CH), 11.25 (s, (0.7)1H (Z), NHN), 11.27 (s, (0.3)1H (E), NHN); 13C-NMR (100 MHz,
DMSO-d6): δ = 20.99 (CH3 (E)), 21.68 (CH3 (Z)), 40.19 (CH2), 55.28 (CH), 57.22 (OCH3), 114.12,
114.26, 116.24, 119.91, 126.06, 126.61, 128.15, 128.62, 130.00, 130.78, 132.17, 134.05, 136.48,
138.80, 145.14, 146.11, 160.48 (2C+ Caromatic), 142.73 (CN (Z)), 148.14 (CN (E)), 171.73, 176.02,
181.12 (3CO); HRMS calculated for C28H23N3O5 [M+H]+ 482.1634 found 482.1708; Anal. Calcd. (%)
for: C, 69.84; H, 4.81; N, 8.73, found: C, 69.71; H, 4.58; N, 8.81.

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3-(6,11-Dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)-N'-(furan-2-ylmethylene)butanehydrazide
(12f). Yield 0.11 g (73%); m.p.: 69–70 °C; Rf = 0.58 (acetone–hexane, 1:1); IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 2924
(CONH), 1722, 1673, 1629 (CO); 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.53 (d, (1)3H (E), J = 6.8 Hz,
CH3), 1.61 (d, (2)3H (Z), J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 2.64 (dd, 1H, J = 7.6, 15.6 CH2), 2.82 (dd, 1H, J = 6.8,
16.3 Hz, CH2), 4.27 (dd, (0.5)1H, J = 7.1, 14.0 Hz, CHCH2), 4.35 (dd, (0.5)1H, J = 7.0, 14.1 Hz,
CHCH2), 6.54–7.06, 7.68–8.09 (9H, m, Haromatic+3CH), 11.28 (s, (0.7)1H (Z), NHN), 11.33 (s, (0.3)1H
(E), NHN); HRMS calculated for C25H19N3O5 [M+H]+ 442.1325 found 442.1707; Anal. Calcd. (%)
for: C, 68.02; H, 4.34; N, 9.52, found: C, 68.50; H, 4.48; N, 9.62.
3-(6,11-Dioxo-6,11-dihydro-12H-benzo[b]phenoxazin-12-yl)-N'-(thiophen-2-ylmethylene)butanehydrazide
(12g). Yield 0.06 g (40%); m.p.: 77–78 °C; Rf = 0.61 (acetone–hexane, 1:1); IR (KBr), ν, cm−1: 3069
1
(CONH), 1663, 1664, 1625 (CO); H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ = 1.52 (d, (0.6)3H (E),
J = 6.9 Hz, CH3), 1.60 (d, (2.4)3H (Z), J = 7.0 Hz, CH3), 2.82 (dd, 1H, J = 8.2, 15.1 CH2), 2.82 (dd,
1H, J = 7.3, 15.7 Hz, CH2), 4.24–4.33 (m, 1H, CHCH2), 6.83–8.09 (m, 11H, Haromatic+3CH), 8.28 (s,
1H, CH), 11.35 (s, (0.7)1H (Z), NHN), 11.36 (s, (0.3)1H (E), NHN); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6):
δ = 22.04 (CH3 (E)), 24.37 (CH3 (Z)), 30.06 (CH2), 58.81 (CH), 111.33, 116.36, 120.75, 124.43,
128.21, 128.24, 130.47, 131.29, 134.49, 136.62, 137.90, 139.56, 141.22, 148.89, (2C+3C+Caromatic),
125.65 (CN (E)), 126.53 (CN (Z)), 163.01 (CCS), 172.08, 176.07, 181.73 (3CO); HRMS calculated for
C25H19N3O4S [M+H]+ 458.1634 found 458.1166; Anal. Calcd. (%) for: C, 65.63; H, 4.19; N, 9.18,
found: C, 65.74; H, 4.28; N, 9.41.
3.3. Biology
3.3.1. Diffusion Technique
Antimicrobial activity of compounds has been evaluated by diffusion in peptone on solid nutrient
medium (nutrient agar—for bacteria, wort agar—for fungi). The microbial loading was 109 cells/mL.
The duration of incubation for bacteria was 24 h at 35 °С and for fungi it was 48–72 h at
28–30 °С. The results were recorded by measuring the zones surrounding the disk. Control disk
contained vancomycin (for bacteria) or nystatin (for fungi) as a standard substance.
3.3.2. Serial Dilution Technique
Compounds were tested according to standard microbroth dilution for determination of minimum
inhibitory concentration (MIC). The certain volume of solution of compound in DMSO was brought in
nutrient medium (nutrient meat-extract—for bacteria, wort—for fungi). The tested compounds were
dissolved in DMSO and the concentration range was 500–1.9 μg/mL. The inoculum of bacteria and
fungi was inoculated in nutrient medium. The duration of incubation of bacteria was 24–72 h at 37 °С
for bacteria and 30 °С for fungi. The results were estimated according to the presence or absence of
growth of microorganisms.

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4. Conclusions
A series of compounds containing hydrazide, pyrrole and chloroquinoxaline moieties were synthesized
from 3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]butanoic and 3-[(2-hydroxy-5-methyl(chloro)phenyl)amino]butanoic
acids. The subsequent reactions of the obtained compounds with 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone
provided respective benzo[b]phenoxazine derivatives. The screening of antimicrobial and antifungal
activity of the synthesized compounds has revealed that benzo[b]phenoxazine derivatives 9a–c, 10c,
and 12f are active against Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and M. luteum at lower concentrations.
Among the most active antifungal compounds, carboxylic acids 9a,c can be mentioned. Thiophene
derivative 12g, which MIC value against A. niger was as low as 3.9 µg/mL, showed better inhibiting
action than antifungal agent nystatin.
Acknowledgments
Postdoctoral fellowship is being funded by European Union Structural Funds project “Postdoctoral
Fellowship Implementation in Lithuania” within the framework of the Measure for Enhancing
Mobility of Scholars and Other Researchers and the Promotion of Student Research (VP1-3.1-ŠMM-01)
of the Program of Human Resources Development Action Plan.
Author Contributions
K.K., V.N. designed research, K.M., R.B., O.K.-P. performed research, K.M., M.S., O.K.-P. analyzed
the data, K.M., K.K., M.S., V.N. wrote the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).