Microwave assisted synthesis, spectral studies and antimicrobial activities of some 2′,4′-difluorophenyl chalcones

Some 2′,4′-difluorophenyl chalcones have been synthesized under microwave irradiation using aldol condensation between 2,4-difluoroacetophenone and substituted benzaldehydes using catalytic amount of hydroxyapatite. The yields of the chalcones are more than 85 %. The purities of these synthesized chalcones were examined by their physical constants and spectroscopic data. The UV absorption maxima (λmax, nm), infrared stretches (ν, cm-1) of CO, fingerprint region of CHip/op, CH=CHop, C=Cop modes, NMR chemical shifts (δ, ppm) of vinyl proton, carbon and carbonyl carbons have been assigned and correlated with Hammett substituent constants, F and R parameters using single and multi-regression analysis. From the statistical analysis the effect of substituent on the above spectral frequencies can be discussed. The antimicrobial activities of these synthesized chalcones have been screened using Bauer-Kirby method.