Synthesis of Chalcone and Flavanone Derivatives using ZnO Nanoparticle as Catalyst for Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

A green method was developed for the synthesis of chalcone and flavanone derivatives by Claisen-Schmidth reaction using ZnO nanoparticles as catalyst and water as solvent. The yield of flavonone synthesis reaction catalyzed by ZnO Nanoparticles was found to be higher (89.6%) compared to conventionally protocol (55.7 %) catalyzed by KOH. In vitro antibacterial activity of the synthesized compounds against the Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and Gram-negative bacteria E. coli, P. aeruginosa and K. preumanin revealed that chalcones 4 and 5 are active on against S. aureus (13 and 11 mm zone of inhibition, respectively) whereas flavonones 6 showed promising activity against E. coli (10 mm zone of inhibition) and chalcone 5 against S. aureus and P.aeroginosa(10 mm zone of inhibition for each) compared to Ceftraxione as positive control.

Keywords:  Chalcones, flavanone, Green synthesis, ZnO nanoparticles.