Design, synthesis, and antibacterial evaluation of novel thiosemicarbazone derivatives from estragole

Estragole (<i>p</i>-allylanisole) is a phenylpropene compound found in several aromatic plants and commonly extracted from the essential oil of fennel (<i>Foeniculum vulgare</i> Mill.). This study aimed to synthesise new chalcone derivatives from estragole to explore potential antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. Estragole was oxidised with potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) to yield its corresponding aldehyde, acid, and diol derivatives. The aldehyde derivative was further reacted with thiosemicarbazide to form two chalcone-based thiosemicarbazone derivatives. These synthesised compounds are proposed to possess enhanced bioactive properties, suggesting their potential as new bioactive agents.