Convenient synthesis, antimicrobial evaluation and molecular modeling of some novel quinoline derivatives

<i>α, β</i>-Unsaturated carbonyl compounds <b>2a, 2b, 3,</b> and <b>4</b> were synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation between 2-substituted quionoline-3-carboxaldehyde <b>1a</b> and/or <b>1b</b> with active methylene compounds. In addition, the synthesis of azlactone is achieved starting from <b>1a</b> and <i>N</i>-acetylglycine. Synthesis of pyridine, pyrene, and pyrimidine derivatives <b>6</b>–<b>8</b> were accomplished via one-pot multicomponent reaction of <b>1b</b> with acetyl acetone, malononitrile, and ammonium acetate; acetophenone, malononitrile, and NaOH; or acetyl acetone and urea in acidic medium. The new synthesized compounds showed good antimicrobial activities. The DFT calculations have been used to predict the electronic properties of the studied compounds.