Design, synthesis, in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer activity of novel methylenebis-isoxazolo[4,5-b]azepines derivatives.

A series of novel methylene bis-isoxazolo[4,5-b]azepines have been synthesized by reaction of 3,5-dimethyl-4-nitroisoxazole 6 with an appropriate methylene bis-chalcones 7 to obtain various Michael adducts 8a-i, which on treatment with SnCl(2)-MeOH underwent reductive cyclization to afford the title compounds 9a-i. Structure of these compounds were established on the basis of IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and mass spectral data. The title compounds 9a-i were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Compounds 9h and 9i exhibited potent antimicrobial and anticancer activities as that of standard drugs.