Simple, fast and efficient synthesis of β-keto esters from the esters of heteroaryl compounds, its antimicrobial study and cytotoxicity towards various cancer cell lines

A series of β-keto esters were synthesized from heteroaryl esters and ethyl acetate using LiHMDS as base at −50 to −30 °C. The increase in yields of cross condensed product were observed and the percentage of self condensed product was reduced drastically by applying the suitable base (LiHMDS), solvent and the minimum amount of ethyl acetate. All these β-keto esters were characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral data. A plausible mechanism is also depicted to prove the formation of trans-esterified products. All the synthesized compounds were subjected to test for their cytotoxicity towards various cancer cell lines and also tested for their antimicrobial activity towards various bacterial and fungal strains and some of them were found to have promising activity.