Synthesis and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives

In attempt to find new pharmacologically active molecules, we report here the synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial activities of various novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole containing 5-phenyltetrazole. The Schiff bases were obtained by condensation 2-(5-phenyl- 1H-tetrazol-1-yl) acetohydrazide with various aromatic aldehydes. Cyclocondensation of Schiff's bases with acetic anhydride results in 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives. The structures of the newly synthesized 1,3,4-oxadiazole were confirmed by FT-IR, H-1 NMR and mass spectral data. The antimicrobial activity was determined by MIC method. All the compounds exhibited weak to potent antimicrobial activity. Some derivatives bearing a methoxy group exhibited very good antimicrobial activity at conc. of 62.5 mu g/mL.