Antimicrobial 3-methyleneflavanones

The antimicrobial activity previously attributed to flavanone Mannich bases was found to be due to their breakdown products, 3-methyleneflavanones. Among the latter compounds, highest potency was observed when the flavanone phenyl ring contained bromine or chlorine substituents. 3-Methylene-2-phenylflavanone (8) was synthesized and shown to be equal to hexachlorophene in tests against representative Gram-positive microorganisms.