Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of novel 2-[4-(1H -benzimidazol-1-yl)phenyl]-1H -benzimidazoles

A new class of 2-[4-(1 H -benzimidazol-1-yl)phenyl]-1 H -benzimidazoles (13–22) were synthesized via cyclocondensation reaction of the substituted 1,2-phenylenediamines (1, 4–12) and 1-(4-formylpheny)-1 H -benzimidazole (3). The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities against S. aureus, methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Candida albicans by the tube dilution method. Compounds 13, 15, 18, 20, and 21 have moderate antifungal activity against C. albicans.