Synthesis, Antimicrobial Evaluation, Molecular Docking, and ADME Studies of Some Novel 3‐Hydroxypyridine‐4‐one Derivatives

Abstract A new class of 3‐hydroxypyridine‐4‐one derivatives was synthesized and screened against several Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, as well as two species of fungi. Among these synthesized compounds, the substituted derivatives with ortho ‐ and para ‐nitro and para ‐methoxy groups showed the highest antibacterial activities against S. aureus and E. coli species with MIC value of 32 μg/mL, which were more potent compared to ampicillin as a reference drug. Furthermore, the substituted derivatives with ortho ‐methoxy, ortho ‐, para ‐chloride, ortho ‐, and para ‐hydroxy groups exhibited MIC values of 64 μg/mL against S. aureus and E. coli species. In addition, the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activities against C. albicans and A. niger strains. The best antifungal activity was observed for compounds with ortho ‐methoxy, ortho ‐hydroxy, and para ‐methyl substitutions against A. niger species with MIC values of 64 μg/mL. The analysis of the antimicrobial results revealed that the type and position of the phenyl ring substituents greatly influence the antimicrobial activities of the synthesized compounds. Subsequently, molecular docking studies on E. coli species were performed to predict the interaction mode of these compounds in the active site of the receptor. Also, in silico ADME profile outputs showed that the compounds comply with the rule of five.