Unlocking the Biological Potential of 2-Pyridones: Synthesis, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of N-Phenacylated 5/6-Chloro-2-pyridones

The electron-withdrawing substituents on the aryl ring of synthesized N-phenacyl-2- pyridones improved the antioxidant activity, however, for Gram-positive bacteria, less lipophilic or more hydrophilic substituents, such as halogens, displayed better antimicrobial activity. Similarly, it was the more lipophilic substitutions on the aryl ring that improved the antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.