A Novel Approach to the Synthesis of Some Naphthofuran Derivatives Bearing Polar Substituents for Studying their Antimicrobial Activity

-Naphthol on reaction with N- (hydroxyalkyl) -arylamides/ imides (1) in ethanol containing catalytic amount of conc. HCl furnishes N- (2-hydroxy-naphthalen-1-yl-alkyl) -arylamides/ imides (2) which on treatment with benzoin in dioxan containing triethylamine (TEA) affords N- (2, 3- diphenyl-naphtho [2, 3-b] furan-9-yl-alkyl) - arylamides/ imides (3). Compounds 3 have been evaluated for their antimicrobial activity involving four bacterial and six fungal strains.