Surface active properties and biological activity of novel nonionic surfactants containing pyrimidines and related nitrogen heterocyclic ring systems

Abstract

A series of annelated pyrimidine derivatives has been synthesized via different heterocyclization reactions of suitably functionalized 6-(4-octadecyloxyphenyl)-4-oxo-2- thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (4) with different electrophiles and nucleophiles. These heterocycles bear an active hydrogen atom (NH, OH or COOH) which could be propoxylated using propylene oxide with different moles, 5, 10 and 15, to produce nonionic surfactant having a long alkyl chain with molecular weight suitable for becoming an amphiphilic molecule with correct hydrophilic-lypophilic balance which enhances solubility, biodegradability and hence lowers the toxicity to human beings and becomes environmentally friendly. In addition, the antimicrobial activities of these compounds were screened and it was found that some of these compounds have similar or higher activity compared with commercial antibiotic drugs (sulphadiazine), which make them suitable for diverse applications like the manufacturing of drugs, pesticides, emulsifiers, cosmetics, etc.

Keywords

• antimicrobial activity
• surface activity
• synthesis