Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 4-(3-Hydroxy-benzofuran-2-yl)coumarins

Various 4-bromomethylcoumarins (1a-k) were reacted with methyl salicylate to yield 2-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-ylmethoxy)-benzoic acid methyl esters (2a-k). Formations of (3a-k) were achieved by using DBU under microwave irradiation. Structures of all the compounds were established on the basis of their spectral data. All the compounds were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity and cell cytotoxicity. All the tested compounds (2b-k) and (3a-k) were shown to be better activity against Staphylococcus aureus than the standard Ciprofloxacin. The compound (3k) (R = 6-OMe) was found to be more potent cytotoxic than the standard 5-fluorouracil.