Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel methylene-bisthiazolidinone derivatives as potential nematicidal agents

In a one pot procedure, a series of novel methylene-bis-thiazolidinone derivatives 5 and 6 was prepared by condensation of 5-(3-formyl-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-methoxybenzaldehyde 3 with mercapto acids and primary aromatic amines 4 in presence of ZnCl₂ under both microwave irradiation and conventional heating conditions. High yields are achieved even on a gram scale, while reaction times are considerably shortened under microwave irradiation compared to conventional heating conditions. Characterization of new compounds has been done by means of IR, NMR, MS and elemental analysis. The nematicidal and antibacterial activity of the compounds has also been evaluated.