Electrogenerated base-promoted synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 2-(1,3-dithian-2-ylidene)-2-arylacetonitrile and 2-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-2-arylacetonitrile.

The new preparation of 2-(1,3-dithian-2-ylidene)-2-arylacetonitrile and 2-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-2-arylacetonitrile is described. The electrogenerated cyanomethyl base/anion obtained from the electroreduction of acetonitrile promotes reactions between arylacetonitrile, carbon disulfide and 1-bromo-3-chloropropane or 1,2-dibromoethane. Obtained products have been identified according to their spectroscopic data (IR and1H NMR and13C NMR) and elemental analysis. The possible antibacterial activities of some of these compounds were investigated. Promising results were found against few types of bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]