Biologically Active Benzoxazoles

Overview

This review presents a survey of preparations and biological activities of substituted benzoxazoles.The structural similarity of benzoxazole derivatives with nucleic bases, such as adenine andguanine,probably allows their easy interaction with biopolymers in the living systems. Consequent- ly, thesecompounds posses a wide range of biological activities. Their preparation includes cyclocondensationreactions and contractions of ortho-fused heterocycles or their photochemical rearrangement.They are being studied predominantly for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, andantitumor activities, and also as insecticides, herbicides, anthelmintics, histamine antagonists, andfluorescent dyes.

Key words:
benzoxazole – 2-aminophenol – biological activity – antimicrobial activity