Design and synthesis of positional isomers of 1-alkyl-2-trifluoromethyl-5 or 6-substituted benzimidazoles and their antimicrobial activity

A series of novel positional isomers of 1-alkyl-2-trifluoromethyl benzimidazole derivatives 3a–j and 4a–j have been synthesized and screened for antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria viz, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and gram negative bacteria viz., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results indicate that compounds 3b, 4b were having promising antibacterial and antifungal activity.