Preparation of aromatic esters of 2-phenoxyethanol and exploring some of their biological activities

-Phenoxyethanol was reacted with twelve different benzoic acids to give the corresponding substituted benzoate esters (I – XII). The structures of these esters were established by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR). The benzoate esters were tested for their anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial activity. The fungus M. canis was 100% (completely inhibited) when treated with V, VI, VII, X, XI (1500 µg/ml); III (750 µg/ml); and XII (375 µg/ml). Fungus T. rubrum was 100% inhibition when treated with IX (1500 µg/m); and V, X, XII (750 µg/ml). The last fungus E. flaccosum was 100% inhibition when treated with V, IX, X, XII (1500 µg/ml). The anti-oxidant test show very good results with compound XII which has IC50=22 compared to ascorbic acid IC50=95. The anti-bacterial test show negative results compared with gentamicin. Biological activity of the esters has shown promising results.