Synthesis, biological and pharmacological activities of 2-methyl-4H- pyrimido[2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazoles

Anilines 1a-h on reaction with potassium thiocyanate and bromine in acetic acid yielded substituted 2-amino[2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazoles 3a-h. The compounds 3a-h on reaction with ethyl acetoacetate and pheylidine acetoacetate, yielded, 2-methyl-4-H-pyrimido[2,1b][1,3]benzothiazole-4-ones 4a-h and ethyl 4-phenyl-2-methyl-4H–pyrimido[2,1b][1,3]benzothiazole-3-carboxylates 5a-h respectively. Pheylidine acetoacetate was conveniently prepared by employing Knoevnagel method using diethyl amine as catalyst. The newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by analytical data IR, H NMR, C NMR and mass spectral data. The compounds were then evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities.