Salicylanilides and their esters with 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid were obtained by two procedures used previously by our group [5,20]. Firstly, salicylanilides 1 were prepared by the reaction of appropriate salicylic acids and anilines in the presence of PCl₃ in chlorobenzene (Ph-Cl) under microwave irradiation (Scheme 1). Then they were esterified by 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid via N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) coupling in dry N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), see Scheme 2. Yields of salicylanilides ranged within 75–90%, of esters within 49–86%.

In vitro antifungal properties of thirty seven salicylanilide derivatives were assayed against four Candida strains (Candida albicans ATCC 44859, Candida tropicalis 156, Candida krusei E28, and Candida glabrata 20/I), Trichosporon asahii 1188 and three filamentous fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus 231, Absidia corymbifera 272, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes 445).

Although it was our intention, the sharply increased lipophilicity of salicylanilide 4-(trifluoro-methyl) benzoates (e.g., ClogP of 4.49 for 1n vs. 6.02 for 2n) caused problems with the biological assessment. In contrast to the parent salicylanilides, some of the esters (ten derivatives: 2a, 2b, 2d, 2g, 2i, 2l, 2m, 2n, 2o, 2s) did not dissolve very well in the testing medium or they precipitated after a very short period; therefore it was not possible to assay their MIC values. Table 1 and Table 2 overview the antifungal properties, and Table 1 for yeasts, Table 2 for filamentous fungi. 4-(Trifluoro-methyl)benzoic acid itself was completely inactive for all species under our conditions.

None of the compounds in this study inhibited Candida glabrata at 125 µmol/L, while for other strains some activity was found. Four esters (2c, 2h, 2j, 2r) and two salicylanilides (1j, 1t) affected Candida albicans up to the concentration of 500 µmol/L with 1j (7.81 µmol/L) and 2j showing superiority. Only ester 2e exhibited a significant activity towards C. tropicalis at low concentrations (7.81/31.25 µmol/L). C. crusei was inhibited by seven molecules (2e, 2f, 2h, 1j, 2j, 2r, 1t) from 7.81 µmol/L. Fourteen salicylanilide derivatives inhibited Trichosporon asahii, the most susceptible yeast with MIC values ranging between 1.95–500 µmol/L. None of the presented derivatives reached the activity of fluconazole against C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata, whereas four showed for C. krusei a lower MIC than fluconazole. Additionally, four derivatives surpassed the MIC of fluconazole for T. asahii after 24 h of incubation (1h, 1j, 1r, 1s; 1f and 1i were comparable) and three salicylanilides after 48 h (1i, 1j, 1s). Undecylenic acid, an established non-specific antimycotic agent for topical usage [21], exhibited mostly MIC values ≥ 500 µmol/L (except 250 µmol/L for T. asahii).

Based on earlier findings [5,16,18], we expected a higher activity of the salicylanilide scaffold-based molecules towards moulds. However, only two esters (2j, 2r) inhibited the growth of A. fumigatus at 15.62–31.25 µmol/L. Seventeen compounds affected A. corymbifera with MICs of 3.9–500 µmol/L (salicylanilides 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1f, 1g, 1i, 1j, 1o, 1r, 1s, 1t and five esters 2c, 2h, 2j, 2k, 2r); only one ester 2f and one salicylanilide 1p did not exhibit any activity towards Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This strain was assayed as being the most susceptible (MIC ≥ 0.49 µmol/L) from the evaluated panel of fungi. Moreover, based on a comparison of MIC values, the mechanism of the action seems to be fungicidal like against A. corymbifera and in contrast to Candida strains. Twenty derivatives (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1f, 1g, 1h, 2h, 1i, 1j, 2j, 1k, 1l, 1m, 1o, 1q, 2q, 1r, 2r, 1s) surpassed the activity of fluconazole towards T. mentagrophytes with 1i and 2j showing superiority (0.49–0.98 µmol/L). Undecylenic acid stopped the growth of T. mentagrophytes at 250 µmol/L.

In general, the most antifungal active salicylanilide assayed was N-(4-bromophenyl)-4-chloro-2-hydroxybenzamide (1j). Bromine and 4-trifluoromethyl moiety-containing salicylanilides expressed mostly a significant activity towards T. asahii, A. corymbifera and T. mentagrophytes, while dichlorosalicylanilides were only active against the last strain. It is difficult to postulate distinct structure-activity relationships due to a lot of partially inactive derivatives; for some strains the activity is only sporadic.

Similarly, the fact that for most of the esters it was not possible to determine their MIC values, complicates the systematic evaluation of how the esterification by 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid influenced the activity of the parent salicylanilides. In some cases the esterification improved the activity (e.g., 1e vs. 2e and 1r vs. 2r for Candida sp., 1j vs. 2j for filamentous fungi, 1p vs. 2p for T. mentagrophytes), for others the impact was the reverse (e.g., 1j vs. 2j for yeasts, 1c vs. 2c for moulds, 1f vs. 2f, 1k vs. 2k). However, only the esters inhibited A. fumigatus, C. tropicalis and also C. krusei (additionally with 1j) at low MIC values. Additionally, some 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoates (2h, 2j, 2r) share submicromolar MICs for T. mentagrophytes after 72 h of incubation.

Although lipophilicity is generally presumed to belong to the factors influencing antifungal activity, there is no sharp correlation in this series, as demonstrated above for the pairs of salicylanilide vs. its ester. The most lipophilic salicylanilide 1e was not the unambiguously most active derivative; its MIC values were even below-average. Similarly, the least lipophilic fluorinated salicylanilides 1k, 1l, 1m and 1n showed a better activity in some cases than more lipophilic molecules like 1e or 1p. Similarly, compounds with a comparable calculated logP showed non-uniform MIC values (e.g., 1b vs. 1j, 2h vs. 2p). Moreover, if the antifungal properties depend only on the lipophilicity, the salicylanilides derived from 5-chlorosalicylic acid and 3-substituted anilines should be unanimously more active than those synthesized from 4-chlorosalicylic acid and 4-substituted anilines; but this clear relationship was not observed and N-(4-bromophenyl)-4-chloro-2-hydroxybenzamide (1j) revealed the most significant in vitro antifungal features. However, the logP values presented here are only calculated values, not experimentally found; therefore their significance should be viewed with caution.

Similarly, it was shown that the individual biological impacts of related compounds with various substitution patterns may be in part often influenced by the volume of the substituents. This bulkiness can be expressed, e.g., by a bulk parameter like MR (molar refractivity) [9,22]. The esterification of salicylanilides by 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid led to the larger molecules with a calculated increment of MR of 34.74. However, as pointed out previously, this modification did not improve the activity unequivocally. Similarly, bulkier derivatives 1e, 1f, 2e and 2f with two chlorines on the aniline ring (MR for these atoms together = 9.6) did not present uniformly superior activity, and only some MICs are excellent, when the remainder are average, weak or comparatively high. On the other hand, the replacement of chlorine (MR = 4.8) by a bulkier bromine (MR = 7.6) on the salicylic acid ring resulted in the improvement of the activity towards T. asahii and A. corymbifera (1q vs. 1s), while for other strains this brought no additional benefit. Similarly, anilines containing bromine (MR = 7.6) showed a higher antifungal activity than those substituted by chlorine (4.8), fluorine (−0.4) and it is slightly superior to a trifluoromethyl group (MR = 4.0). These data indicate, analogously to lipophilicity, that there is no simple linear correlation between biological activity and steric parameter MR.

When compared to other recently evaluated salicylanilide esters, 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoates did not surpass the activity of salicylanilide acetates [16], although some MICs are comparable. Contrarily, benzoates [17] are much less potent in vitro than the here presented esters. The comparison with salicylanilide pyrazinoates [18] and esters with N-benzyloxycarbonyl amino acids [23] is not unambiguous, while these derivatives showed more consistent activity; however, MICs of many 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoates exceeded them. Esters with N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine showed less and less uniform antifungal potency [5]. In some cases, the esterification of parent salicylanilides by various carboxylic acids led to a decreased activity.

All the reagents and solvents were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Seelze, Germany) or Penta Chemicals (Prague, Czech Republic) and they were used as received. Reactions and purity of products were monitored by thin layer chromatography with a toluene/ethyl-acetate 4:1 mixture as eluent for salicylanilides and a toluene/methanol 9:1 mixture as eluent for esters; plates were coated with 0.2 mm Merck 60 F254 silica gel and were visualized by UV irradiation (254 nm). Melting points were determined on a Büchi Melting Point machine B-540 apparatus using open capillaries and the reported values are uncorrected.

Elemental analysis (C, H, N) were performed on an automatic microanalyser CHNS-O CE instrument (FISONS EA 1110, Milano, Italy). Infrared spectra (ATR) were recorded on FT-IR spectrometer Nicolet 6700 FT-IR in the range of 400–4,000 cm⁻¹. The NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Mercury-Vxbb 300 (300 MHz for ¹H and 75.5 MHz for ¹³C; Varian, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA) at ambient temperature using deuterated dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO-d₆) solutions of the samples. The chemical shifts δ are given in ppm, with respect to tetramethylsilane as an internal standard. The coupling constants (J) are reported in Hz.

The calculated logP values (ClogP), that are the logarithms of the partition coefficients for octan-1-ol/water, were determined using the program ACD/ChemSketch (Freeware) version 12.01 (Advanced Chemistry Development, Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada); while the program CS ChemOffice Ultra version 12.0 (CambridgeSoft, Cambidge, MA, USA) did not allow us to distinguish lipophilicity for particular position isomers providing the same logP data. Only the mean values without deviations are reported in this work. The increment of molar refractivity due to esterification of salicylanilides by 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid was calculated using the program ACD/ChemSketch (Freeware) version 12.01.

A substituted salicylic acid and corresponding aniline (both 0.002 mol) were suspended in chlorobenzene (20 mL) and PCl₃ (0.001 mol) was added. The reaction was carried out with vigorously stirring in a microwave reactor (530 W, 600 rpm, MicroSYNTH Milestone) for 20 min to refluxing. The reaction mixture was filtered while hot, let stand at 20 °C and then at +4 °C for 24 h. The crude product was filtered off and recrystallized from boiling 96% ethanol to obtain the pure product, in all cases white crystals. Salicylanilides, whose physical and spectral properties are not presented here, were synthesized and reported previously [24,25].

N-(3-Bromophenyl)-4-chloro-2-hydroxybenzamide (1h). Yield 79%; m.p.: 224.5–226.5 °C. IR: 3307, 1608 (CO amide), 1547, 1497, 1425, 1376, 1228, 1204, 1093, 1070, 927, 861, 848, 777, 762, 717, 677. ¹H-NMR: δ 11.87 (1H, s, OH), 10.42 (1H, bs, NH), 8.04 (1H, s, H2′), 7.88 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H6), 7.67–7.60 (1H, m, H6′), 7.32–7.29 (2H, m, H4′, H5′), 7.05–7.00 (2H, m, H3, H5). ¹³C-NMR: δ 165.6, 158.7, 140.0, 137.6, 131.2, 130.9, 126.9, 123.1, 121.7, 119.6, 119.5, 117.8, 116.9. Anal. Calcd. for C₁₃H₉BrClNO₂ (326.57): C, 47.81; H, 2.78; N, 4.29. Found: C, 47.99; H, 2.83; N, 4.10.

4-Chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]benzamide (1p). Yield 85%; m.p.: 193–195 °C. IR: 3322, 3057, 1633, 1614 (CO amide), 1603, 1656, 1494, 1423, 1334, 1313, 1223, 1170, 1124, 1099, 1072, 923, 891, 864, 794, 711, 698. ¹H-NMR: δ 11.83 (1H, s, OH), 10.56 (1H, bs, NH), 8.20 (1H, s, H2′), 7.94–7.87 (2H, m, H6, H6′), 7.59 (1H, t, J = 8.0 Hz, H5′), 7.46 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, H4′), 7.05–7.01 (2H, m, H3, H5). ¹³C-NMR: δ 165.9, 158.8, 139.2, 137.7, 131.2, 130.1, 129.7 (q, J = 31.8 Hz), 124.4, 124.3 (q, J = 272.6 Hz), 120.6 (q, J = 3.8 Hz), 119.5, 117.8, 116.9 (q, J = 3.8 Hz). Anal. Calcd. for C₁₄H₉ClF₃NO₂ (315.67): C, 53.27; H, 2.87; N, 4.44. Found: C, 53.55; H, 2.70; N, 4.55.

4-(Trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid and appropriate salicylanilide (both 0.001 mol) were dissolved in dry DMF (15 mL), the solution was cooled to −20 °C and DCC in a mild excess (0.0012 mol) was added in three portions during 1 h. Next the mixture was stirred for 3 h at the same temperature and stored at +4 °C for 48 h. After this time, the precipitated by-product N,N′-dicyclohexylurea was filtered off and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The rest was dissolved in a small amount of ethyl-acetate and the insoluble portion (another N,N′-dicyclohexylurea) was filtered off. The filtrate was again evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by the repeated crystallization from ethyl-acetate/hexane; all esters are white solids.

4-Chloro-2-(3-chlorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2a). Yield 63%; m.p.: 184–186 °C. IR (ATR): 3308, 2934, 2858, 1718 (CO ester), 1666, 1650, 1588, 1522, 1479, 1452, 1425, 1410, 1323, 1291, 1271, 1205, 1167, 1131, 1113, 1088, 1066, 1015, 861, 766, 693, 680. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.71 (1H, bs, NH), 8.26 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.87 (1H, d, J = 2.6 Hz, H3), 7.77–7.71 (3H, m, H5, H6, H2′), 7.54 (1H, d, J = 8.7 Hz, H6′), 7.30 (1H, t, J = 8.1 Hz, H5′), 7.11 (1H, ddd, J = 0.9 Hz, J = 2.1 Hz, J = 8.0 Hz, H4′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 162.9, 146.9, 140.2, 133.7 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 133.1, 132.4, 131.9, 130.9, 130.8, 130.7, 130.6, 129.3, 126.2 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 125.6, 123.8, 123.7 (q, J = 272.9 Hz), 119.5, 118.4. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂Cl₂F₃NO₃ (454.23): C, 55.53; H, 2.66; N, 3.08. Found: C, 55.27; H, 2.80; N, 3.22.

5-Chloro-2-(3-chlorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2b). Yield 83%; m.p.: 165.5–168 °C. IR (ATR): 3284, 2933, 2857, 1738 (CO ester), 1650, 1602, 1593, 1543, 1483, 1451, 1413, 1323, 1259, 1242, 1168, 1130, 1112, 1068, 1016, 860, 699, 673. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.67 (1H, bs, NH), 8.27 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.82 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3), 7.73–7.71 (2H, m, H6, H2′), 7.60 (1H, dd, J = 8.3 Hz, J = 2.1 Hz, H4), 7.50 (1H, dd, J = 8.3 Hz, J = 2.0, H6′), 7.30 (1H, t, J = 8.1 Hz, H5′), 7.11 (1H, m, H4′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.4, 163.2, 148.8, 140.3, 136.0, 133.8 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 133.1, 132.4, 131.1, 130.9, 130.6, 128.3, 126.7, 126.2 (q, J = 3.6 Hz), 124.0, 123.9 (q, J = 272.9 Hz), 123.8, 119.4, 118.4. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂Cl₂F₃NO₃ (454.23): C, 55.53; H, 2.66; N, 3.08. Found: C, 55.34; H, 2.85; N, 3.01.

4-Chloro-2-(4-chlorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2c). Yield 49%; m.p.: 170–172.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3322, 3073, 2934, 1719 (CO ester), 1667, 1625, 1601, 1547, 1491, 1420, 1399, 1324, 1291, 1244, 1221, 1172, 1134, 1112, 1095, 1067, 1013, 822, 705, 656. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.67 (1H, bs, NH), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 8.2 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.93 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.86 (1H, d, J = 2.6 Hz, H3), 7.73 (1H, dd, J = 8.8 Hz, J = 2.1 Hz, H5), 7.62 (1H, d, J = 8.9 Hz, H6), 7.54–7.40 (2H, m, H2′, H6′), 7.34–7.31 (2H, m, H3′, H5′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 162.7, 146.9, 137.8, 133.7 (q, J = 32.0 Hz), 133.2, 130.9, 130.8, 130.3, 129.2, 128.8, 128.0, 126.2 (q, J = 3.6 Hz), 125.6, 123.9 (q, J = 272.8 Hz), 121.6. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂Cl₂F₃NO₃ (454.23): C, 55.53; H, 2.66; N, 3.08. Found: C, 55.40; H, 2.51; N, 3.34.

5-Chloro-2-(4-chlorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2d). Yield 86%; m.p.: 170.5–173 °C. IR (ATR): 3305, 2933, 2858, 1737 (CO ester), 1699, 1650, 1601, 1544, 1492, 1452, 1408, 1325, 1258, 1240, 1182, 1157, 1128, 1111, 1097, 1068, 1016, 829, 769, 698, 669. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.63 (1H, bs, NH), 8.26 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.95 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.82 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3), 7.72 (1H, d, J = 2.0 Hz, H6), 7.54–7.40 (3H, m, H4′, H2′, H6′), 7.34–7.30 (2H, m, H3′, H5′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.6, 163.2, 148.9, 136.1, 133.7 (q, J = 32.0 Hz), 132.4, 131.1, 130.8, 128.1, 127.9, 126.7, 126.2 (q, J = 3.6 Hz), 125.5, 124.2, 123.9 (q, J = 272.9 Hz), 119.8. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂Cl₂F₃NO₃ (454.23): C, 55.53; H, 2.66; N, 3.08. Found: C, 55.69; H, 2.47; N, 2.86.

4-Chloro-2-(3,4-dichlorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2e). Yield 73%; m.p.: 156–158.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3313, 3079, 2933, 2858, 1718 (CO ester), 1671, 1650, 1627, 1580, 1518, 1478, 1451, 1384, 1323, 1278, 1249, 1204, 1174, 1134, 1107, 1087, 1066, 1016, 862, 823, 767, 696. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.80 (1H, bs, NH), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.90–7.87 (2H, m, H2′, H3), 7.75 (1H, dd, J = 2.6 Hz, J = 8.7 Hz, H5), 7.61 (1H, d, J = 8.8 Hz, H6), 7.56–7.52 (2H, m, H5′, H6′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 162.9, 146.9, 138.9, 133.7 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 132.4, 132.1, 131.1, 130.9, 130.8, 130.7, 130.6, 129.3, 126.2 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 125.7, 125.6, 123.9 (q, J = 272.8 Hz), 121.2, 120.0. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₁Cl₃F₃NO₃ (488.67): C, 51.61; H, 2.27; N, 2.87. Found: C, 51.77; H, 2.41; N, 2.64.

5-Chloro-2-(3,4-dichlorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2f). Yield 74%; m.p.: 144–146 °C. IR (ATR): 3306, 29333, 2858, 1748 (CO ester), 1699, 1649, 1601, 1581, 1525, 1477, 1452, 1409, 1379, 1325, 1261, 1250, 1194, 1164, 1130, 1120, 1068, 1016, 864, 769, 698. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.77 (1H, bs, NH), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.91 (1H, s, H2′), 7.82 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3), 7.74 (1H, d, J = 2.0 Hz, H6), 7.61 (1H, dd, J = 2.0 Hz, J = 8.5 Hz, H4), 7.57–7.52 (2H, m, H5′, H6′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.4, 163.2, 148.8, 138.9, 136.1, 133.7 (q, J = 31.8 Hz), 132.4, 131.1, 131.0, 130.9, 130.8, 127.9, 126.8, 126.2 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 125.6, 124.0, 123.8 (q, J = 272.3 Hz), 121.1, 120.0. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₁Cl₃F₃NO₃ (488.67): C, 51.61; H, 2.27; N, 2.87. Found: C, 51.48; H, 2.11; N, 2.98.

2-(3-Bromophenylcarbamoyl)-4-chlorophenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2g). Yield 49%; m.p.: 196–198 °C. IR (ATR): 3319, 2932, 2853, 1717 (CO ester), 1666, 1650, 1625, 1573, 1521, 1478, 1451, 1410, 1323, 1291, 1271, 1241, 11167, 1132, 1112, 1088, 1066, 1016, 893, 860, 766, 696, 686. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.68 (1H, bs, NH), 8.26 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.95 (2H, d, J = 8.2 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.88–7.85 (2H, m, H2′, H3), 7.75 (1H, dd, J = 2.6 Hz, J = 8.7 Hz, H5), 7.63 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H6), 7.54 (1H, d, J = 8.7 Hz, H6′), 7.26–7.23 (2H, m, H4′, H5′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 162.8, 146.9, 140.4, 133.7 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 132.4, 131.9, 130.9, 130.9, 130.8, 130.7, 129.3, 126.8, 126.2 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 125.6, 123.8 (q, J = 268.2 Hz), 122.4, 121.6, 118.8. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂BrClF₃NO₃ (498.68): C, 50.58; H, 2.43; N, 2.81. Found: C, 50.72; H, 2.19; N, 2.55.

2-(3-Bromophenylcarbamoyl)-5-chlorophenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2h). Yield 85%; m.p.: 166–168.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3305, 2933, 2857, 1738 (CO ester), 1650, 1589, 1537, 1479, 1452, 1411, 1323, 1258, 1242, 1169, 1130, 1111, 1068, 1016, 861, 770, 698, 675. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.65 (1H, bs, NH), 8.26 (2H, d, J = 7.9 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 7.9 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.85 (1H, s, H2′), 7.82 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3), 7.72 (1H, d, J = 1.9 Hz, H6), 7.65–7.53 (2H, m, H4, H6′), 7.31 (1H, m, H5′), 7.23 (1H, m, H4′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.4, 163.2, 148.8, 140.4, 136.0, 133.7 (q, J = 32.3 Hz), 131.1, 130.9, 130.8, 128.2, 127.9, 126.7, 126.6, 126.2 (q, J = 3.6 Hz), 123.9, 123.4 (q, J = 272.9 Hz), 122.3, 121.6, 118.8. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂BrClF₃NO₃ (498.68): C, 50.58; H, 2.43; N, 2.81. Found: C, 50.46; H, 2.58; N, 2.71.

2-(4-Bromophenylcarbamoyl)-4-chlorophenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2i). Yield 53%; m.p.: 173–175.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3329, 2932, 2857, 1717 (CO ester), 1672, 1650, 1523, 1487, 1451, 1394, 1323, 1277, 1242, 1203, 1172, 1133, 1112, 1088, 1066, 1016, 860, 817, 767, 695. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.66 (1H, bs, NH), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.86 (1H, d, J = 2.6 Hz, H6), 7.73 (1H, dd, J = 2.6 Hz, J = 8.7 Hz, H5), 7.63 (1H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H3), 7.58-7.52 (2H, m, H2′, H6′), 7.47-7.44 (2H, m, H3′, H5′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 162.7, 146.9, 138.2, 133.6 (q, J = 32.0 Hz), 132.5, 131.8, 131.7, 130.9, 130.8, 130.6, 129.2, 126.2 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 125.6, 123.8 (q, J = 273.0 Hz), 121.9, 115.8. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂BrClF₃NO₃ (498.68): C, 50.58; H, 2.43; N, 2.81. Found: C, 50.40; H, 2.67; N, 2.64.

2-(4-Bromophenylcarbamoyl)-5-chlorophenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2j). Yield 72%; m.p.: 152.5–154.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3291, 2933, 1737 (CO ester), 1650, 1602, 1544, 1489, 1449, 1406, 1325, 1257, 1241, 1182, 1156, 1128, 1111, 1069, 1015, 893, 861, 824, 770, 698, 667. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.63 (1H, bs, NH), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.81 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3), 7.71 (1H, d, J = 2.1 Hz, H6), 7.64–7.55 (3H, m, H4, H2′, H6′), 7.46–7.43 (2H, m, H3′, H5′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.2, 162.7, 148.8, 138.3, 135.9, 133.7 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 132.4, 131.7, 131.0, 130.9, 128.3, 126.7, 126.2 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 123.9, 123.8 (q, J = 272.8 Hz), 121.9, 115.7. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂BrClF₃NO₃ (498.68): C, 50.58; H, 2.43; N, 2.81. Found: C, 50.36; H, 2.65; N, 2.94.

4-Chloro-2-(3-fluorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2k). Yield 76%; m.p.: 151–153.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3317, 2933, 2857, 1721 (CO ester), 1699, 1650, 1543, 1444, 1410, 1323, 1272, 1236, 1167, 1154, 1130, 1115, 1089, 1065, 1020, 859, 844, 766, 686. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.73 (1H, bs, NH), 8.26 (2H, d, J = 7.9 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 7.9 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.86 (1H, s, H3), 7.73 (1H, d, J = 8.5 Hz, H5), 7.64–7.49 (2H, m, H6, H6′), 7.39–7.29 (2H, m, H2′, H5′), 6.88 (1H, t, J = 8.3 Hz, H4′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 162.8, 162.1 (d, J = 241.5 Hz), 146.9, 140.5 (d, J = 11.1 Hz), 133.7 (q, J = 31.7 Hz), 132.5, 131.9, 130.9, 130.7, 130.5 (d, J = 9.4 Hz), 129.2, 127.9, 126.2 (q, J = 3.6 Hz), 125.6, 123.8 (q, J = 273.0 Hz), 115.8 (d, J = 2.8 Hz), 110.6 (d, J = 21.2 Hz), 106.7 (d, J = 26.2 Hz). Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂ClF₄NO₃ (437.77): C, 57.62; H, 2.76; N, 3.20. Found: C, 57.88; H, 2.99; N, 3.03.

5-Chloro-2-(3-fluorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2l). Yield 55%; m.p.: 169–171.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3320, 2932, 2852, 1739 (CO ester), 1651, 1624, 1602, 1569, 1548, 1491, 1414, 1325, 1259, 1242, 1200, 1172, 1138, 1122, 1070, 1016, 861, 770, 700, 669. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.70 (1H, bs, NH), 8.26 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.82 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3), 7.72 (1H, d, J = 1.8 Hz, H6), 7.59 (1H, dd, J = 1.7 Hz, J = 8.3 Hz, H4), 7.52 (1H, d, J = 11.4 Hz, H6′), 7.38–7.28 (2H, m, H2′, H5′), 6.87 (1H, t, J = 8.4 Hz, H4′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.4, 163.2, 162.1 (d, J = 241.5 Hz), 148.8, 140.6 (d, J = 10.9 Hz), 135.9, 133.7 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 132.4, 131.0, 130.9, 130.5 (d, J = 9.4 Hz), 128.3, 126.7, 126.2 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 124.0, 123.8 (q, J = 272.8 Hz), 115.7 (d, J = 2.8 Hz), 110.5 (d, J = 21.0 Hz), 106.7 (d, J = 26.2 Hz). Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂ClF₄NO₃ (437.77): C, 57.62; H, 2.76; N, 3.20. Found: C, 57.39; H, 3.02; N, 3.47.

4-Chloro-2-(4-fluorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2m). Yield 70%; m.p.: 181–183.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3329, 2933, 2858, 1721 (CO ester), 1665, 1650, 1572, 1530, 1508, 1479, 1451, 1408, 1323, 1279, 1235, 1167, 1132, 1114, 1087, 1065, 1016, 825, 767, 695. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.58 (1H, bs, NH), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 7.9 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.85 (1H, d, J = 2.4 Hz, H3), 7.77–7.73 (1H, dd, J = 2.4 Hz, J = 8.7 Hz, H5), 7.64–7.51 (3H, m, H6, H2′, H6′), 7.13–7.09 (2H, m, H3′, H5′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 162.5, 158.5 (d, J = 240.6 Hz), 146.9, 135.2 (d, J = 2.6 Hz), 133.6 (q, J = 32.0 Hz), 132.5, 131.7, 131.0, 130.9, 130.6, 129.2, 126.2 (q, J = 3.8 Hz), 125.6, 123.8 (q, J = 272.9 Hz), 121.9 (d, J = 7.9 Hz), 115.5 (d, J = 22.3 Hz). Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂ClF₄NO₃ (437.77): C, 57.62; H, 2.76; N, 3.20. Found: C, 57.95; H, 2.52; N, 3.26.

5-Chloro-2-(4-fluorophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2n). Yield 72%; m.p.: 176.5–179 °C. IR (ATR): 3294, 2933, 2857, 1737 (CO ester), 1646, 1602, 1556, 1508, 1452, 1413, 1328, 1260, 1234, 1192, 1156, 1137, 1126, 1111, 1069, 1016, 861, 833, 771, 699, 669. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.55 (1H, bs, NH), 8.26 (2H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94 (2H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.81 (1H, d, J = 8.2 Hz, H3), 7.71 (1H, d, J = 1.9 Hz, H6), 7.64–7.59 (3H, m, H4, H2′, H6′), 7.13–7.08 (2H, m, H3′, H5′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.2, 163.0, 158.5 (d, J = 240.5 Hz), 148.8, 135.7, 135.2 (d, J = 2.5 Hz), 133.7 (q, J = 32.2 Hz), 132.5, 131.0, 130.9, 128.5, 126.7, 126.2 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 123.9, 123.8 (q, J = 272.9 Hz), 121.8 (d, J = 7.9 Hz), 115.5 (d, J = 22.2 Hz). Anal. Calcd. for C₂₁H₁₂ClF₄NO₃ (437.77): C, 57.62; H, 2.76; N, 3.20. Found: C, 57.94; H, 2.59; N, 2.94.

4-Chloro-2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2o). Yield 68%; m.p.: 158.5–160.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3306, 2933, 2858, 1719 (CO ester), 1699, 1670, 1650, 1543, 1450, 1409, 1323, 1276, 1236, 1168, 1131, 1108, 1066, 1020, 844, 766, 696, 687. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.84 (1H, bs, NH), 8.26 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.94–7.84 (4H, m, H3, H2′, H3′′, H5′′), 7.76 (1H, dd, J = 8.7 Hz, J = 2.5 Hz, H5), 7.63 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, H6′), 7.56 (1H, d, J = 8.7 Hz, H6), 7.52 (1H, t, J = 7.9 Hz, H5′), 7.40 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, H4′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 163.0, 146.9, 139.5, 133.7 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 132.4, 132.0, 130.9, 130.8, 130.7, 130.2, 129.8 (q, J = 29.8 Hz), 129.3, 126.1 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 125.5, 124.4 (q, J = 263.2 Hz), 123.8 (q, J = 272.2 Hz), 123.6, 120.5 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 116.2 (q, J = 3.7 Hz). Anal. Calcd. for C₂₂H₁₂ClF₆NO₃ (487.78): C, 54.17; H, 2.48; N, 2.87. Found: C, 54.02; H, 2.57; N, 2.99.

5-Chloro-2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2p). Yield 50%; m.p.: 160–162.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3290, 2934, 2858, 1739 (CO ester), 1699, 1650, 1601, 1558, 1543, 1492, 1413, 1322, 1259, 1246, 1164, 1133, 1067, 1016, 884, 862, 802, 771, 697. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.80 (1H, bs, NH), 8.27 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.95–7.83 (5H, m, H3, H2′, H6′, H3′′, H5′′), 7.73 (1H, d, J = 2.1 Hz, H6), 7.60 (1H, dd, J = 8.3 Hz, J = 2.0 Hz, H4), 7.51 (1H, t, J = 8.0 Hz, H5′), 7.38 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, H4′). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.5, 163.2, 148.8, 139.6, 136.1, 133.7 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 132.3, 131.1, 130.9, 130.1, 129.8 (q, J = 30.7 Hz), 128.2, 126.8, 126.1 (q, J = 3.7 Hz), 124.1 (q, J = 272.3 Hz), 123.9, 123.8 (q, J = 272.9 Hz), 123.5, 120.4 (q, J = 3.9 Hz), 116.1 (q, J = 4.1 Hz). Anal. Calcd. for C₂₂H₁₂ClF₆NO₃ (487.78): C, 54.17; H, 2.48; N, 2.87. Found: C, 54.46; H, 2.65; N, 2.67.

4-Chloro-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2q). Yield 75%; m.p.: 166.5–169 °C. IR (ATR): 3330, 2933, 2857, 1717 (CO ester), 1676, 1650, 1527, 1478, 1452, 1409, 1322, 1280, 1257, 1237, 1168, 1126, 1110, 1088, 1066, 1017, 861, 843, 767, 697. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.89 (1H, bs, NH), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.92 (2H, d, J = 8.2 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.90 (1H, d, J = 2.6 Hz, H3), 7.81 (2H, d, J = 8.5 Hz, H2′, H6′), 7.76 (1H, dd, J = 2.6 Hz, J = 8.7 Hz, H5), 7.64 (2H, d, J = 8.7 Hz, H3′, H5′), 7.55 (1H, d, J = 8.7 Hz, H6). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 163.1, 147.0, 142.4, 133.7 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 132.4, 132.0, 130.9, 130.8, 130.7, 129.3, 126.2 (m), 125.6, 124.5 (q, J = 271.4 Hz), 124.4 (q, J = 31.8 Hz), 123.9 (q, J = 272.9 Hz), 119.9. Anal. Calcd. For C₂₂H₁₂ClF₆NO₃ (487.78): C, 54.17; H, 2.48; N, 2.87. Found: C, 54.42; H, 2.71; N, 3.14.

5-Chloro-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2r). Yield 70%; m.p.: 142–143.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3346, 2932, 2856, 1719 (CO ester), 1671, 1649, 1602, 1524, 1485, 1451, 1407, 1321, 1281, 1251, 1179, 1165, 1120, 1089, 1064, 1017, 863, 843, 824, 761, 697. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.85 (1H, bs, NH), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 7.93 (2H, d, J = 8.2 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.85 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3), 7.80 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H2′, H6′), 7.73 (1H, d, J = 2.0 Hz, H6), 7.63 (2H, d, J = 8.6 Hz, H3′, H5′), 7.60 (1H, dd, J = 2.1 Hz, J = 8.3 Hz, H4). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.6, 163.2, 148.9, 142.5, 136.1, 133.7 (q, J = 32.1 Hz), 132.4, 131.1, 130.9, 128.1, 127.8, 126.7, 126.1 (m), 124.4 (q, J = 271.3 Hz), 124.0 (q, J = 32.0 Hz), 123.8 (q, J = 273.0 Hz), 119.8. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₂H₁₂ClF₆NO₃ (487.78): C, 54.17; H, 2.48; N, 2.87. Found: C, 54.33; H, 2.65; N, 2.69.

4-Bromo-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoate (2s). Yield 67%; m.p.: 162–163.5 °C. IR (ATR): 3325, 2933, 2858, 1717 (CO ester), 1699, 1674, 1650, 1528, 1452, 1408, 1322, 1279, 1236, 1167, 1129, 1110, 1089, 1066, 1017, 844, 766, 687. ¹H-NMR: δ 10.88 (1H, bs, NH), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 8.1 Hz, H2′′, H6′′), 8.03 (1H, d, J = 2.4 Hz, H3), 7.92 (2H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, H3′′, H5′′), 7.88 (1H, dd, J = 2.6 Hz, J = 8.8 Hz, H5), 7.80 (2H, d, J = 8.5 Hz, H2′, H6′), 7.66–7.61 (2H, m, H3′, H5′), 7.48 (1H, d, J = 8.7 Hz, H6). ¹³C-NMR: δ 163.3, 163.0, 147.4, 142.4, 135.0, 133.7 (q, J = 32.3 Hz), 132.4, 132.0, 131.0, 130.9, 126.2 (m), 125.9, 124.4 (q, J = 32.0 Hz), 124.8 (q, J = 274.1 Hz), 123.5 (q, J = 268.6 Hz), 119.9, 118.8. Anal. Calcd. for C₂₂H₁₂BrF₆NO₃ (532.23): C, 49.65; H, 2.27; N, 2.63. Found: C, 49.43; H, 2.12; N, 2.54.

The antifungal properties of all synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro against four Candida strains (Candida albicans ATCC 44859, Candida tropicalis 156, Candida krusei E28, and Candida glabrata 20/I), Trichosporon asahii 1188 and three filamentous fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus 231, Absidia corymbifera 272, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes 445).

The microdilution broth method was used according to the CLSI M27-A3 and M38-A2 guidelines for yeasts [26] and moulds [27] in RPMI 1640 with glutamine (KlinLab, Prague, Czech Republic) buffered to pH 7.0 with 0.165 mol of 3-morpholino-propane-1-sulphonic acid (Sigma-Aldrich, Seelze, Germany). DMSO served as a diluent for all compounds. In the yeast, the final size of the inoculum was 5 × 10³ ± 0.2 CFU/mL. For the moulds “Aspergillus, Trichophyton and Absidia corymbifera”, the spores were harvested after the cultivation of a given fungal strain grown on Sabouraud agar from 3 to 10 days. The final size of the inoculum was 0.5–5 ×10⁴ CFU/mL. The sizes of the fungal inocula were checked using a Bürker’s chamber. Fluconazole was used as a reference specific drug and undecylenic acid as a non-specific one. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were assayed as an 80% (IC₈₀) or higher reduction of growth in comparison to the control (for salicylanilides and for yeasts in the case of 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoates) or as an 50% (IC₅₀) or higher reduction of growth (for the activity of 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoates towards filamentous fungi) in comparison to the control. The determination of results was performed visually and spectrophotometrically (at 540 nm). The MIC values were determined after 24 and 48 h of incubation in the dark at 35 °C (±0.1) in a humid atmosphere; only for T. mentagrophytes the final MIC were determined after 72 and 120 h of incubation. MICs were determined twice and in duplicate.