Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Novel Pyrazolopyrimidines Incorporated with Mono- and Diphenylsulfonyl Groups

A novel series of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ring systems containing phenylsulfonyl moiety have been synthesized via the reaction of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl) phenyl)ethan-1-one, 2-benzenesulfonyl-1-(4-benzenesulfonyl-phenyl)-3-dimethylamino-propenone and 3-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one each with various substituted aminoazopyrazole derivatives in one pot reaction strategy. The proposed structure as well as the mechanism of their reactions were discussed and proved with all possible spectral data. The results of antimicrobial activities of the new sulfone derivatives revealed that several derivatives showed activity exceeding the activity of reference drug. Contrary to expectations, we found that derivatives containing one sulfone group are more effective against all bacteria and fungi used than those contain two sulfone groups.

On the other hand, the molecular hybridization is specialized with synthesis new compounds from combination of biologically active substances for the production of a new hybrid compound. In several cases, it generates derivatives having effective biological activities more potent than their starting moieties [24].
Molecules 2019, 24, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 20 2 found wide applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, dyeing/textile industry, food, and analytical chemistry [18]. Many of these compounds exhibit biomedical activity because they exhibit various properties such as anti-inflammatory activity, antibacterial activity, cell protection, protease inhibitors (enzymes that play functions in many pathological disorders), or have anti-HIV activity [19][20][21]. Also, it was proved recently that azo-benzene based compounds showed a killing effect on bacteria or fungi through the interaction with their protein receptors, rather than an interaction with membrane [22,23]. On the other hand, the molecular hybridization is specialized with synthesis new compounds from combination of biologically active substances for the production of a new hybrid compound. In several cases, it generates derivatives having effective biological activities more potent than their starting moieties [24]. Inspired by these observations and in resumption of our recent research aiming at the design and synthesis of new bioactive heterocyclic systems [25][26][27][28][29][30][31], we are interested herein to design and synthesize of two new series of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives, 8 and 15 (Figure 2), which have one or two arylsulfonyl and an arylazo groups to investigate their antimicrobial activities. The aim of such synthesis is to study the effect of the combination of such scaffold on the activity of these new series, as we expect to generate a potent active drug as an antimicrobial agent. Inspired by these observations and in resumption of our recent research aiming at the design and synthesis of new bioactive heterocyclic systems [25][26][27][28][29][30][31], we are interested herein to design and synthesize of two new series of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives, 8 and 15 (Figure 2), which have one or two arylsulfonyl and an arylazo groups to investigate their antimicrobial activities. The aim of such synthesis is to study the effect of the combination of such scaffold on the activity of these new series, as we expect to generate a potent active drug as an antimicrobial agent.
We started with modified method for α-bromination of 1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 1 using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TsOH) and acetonitrile as a solvent either under thermal or microwaves irradiation conditions (Scheme 1). The α-bromoketone 3 was obtained in excellent yield (94%) under pressurized microwave irradiation (MW) for 15 min using 400 W microwaves operating power. Then, treatment of compound 3 with sodium benzene sulfinate in ethanol under thermal as well as microwave conditions afforded the corresponding 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4 in high yield (Scheme 1). The suggested structure of compound 4 as illustrated in Scheme 1 was confirmed from its spectral data. The IR spectrum of compound 4 showed the carbonyl absorption signal vibrating at 1700 cm −1 . The 1 H NMR spectrum of compound 4 displayed the characteristic signal of the CH2 group which clearly appeared at δ 5.39 ppm in addition to the other protons that are resonating at their expected values (see experimental part). Further evidence that confirm the structure of compound 4 was supported from its 13

Chemistry
Initially, three consecutive steps were enough to access of the hitherto unreported 3-(dimethylamino)-2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one 6 as a versatile multifunctional building block for construction of the targeted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives. We started with modified method for α-bromination of 1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 1 using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TsOH) and acetonitrile as a solvent either under thermal or microwaves irradiation conditions (Scheme 1). The α-bromoketone 3 was obtained in excellent yield (94%) under pressurized microwave irradiation (MW) for 15 min using 400 W microwaves operating power. Then, treatment of compound 3 with sodium benzene sulfinate in ethanol under thermal as well as microwave conditions afforded the corresponding 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4 in high yield (Scheme 1). The suggested structure of compound 4 as illustrated in Scheme 1 was confirmed from its spectral data. The IR spectrum of compound 4 showed the carbonyl absorption signal vibrating at 1700 cm −1 . The 1 H NMR spectrum of compound 4 displayed the characteristic signal of the CH 2 group which clearly appeared at δ 5.39 ppm in addition to the other protons that are resonating at their expected values (see experimental part). Further evidence that confirm the structure of compound 4 was supported from its 13  Thermal or microwaves heating of the 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4 with N,N-dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal (DMF-DMA) 5 using dry xylene as a solvent, afforded a single product identified as the corresponding 3-(dimethylamino)-2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one 6, in high yields (Scheme 2). All spectral data of the formed enaminosulfone 6 were in agreement with the proposed structure. The presence of low frequency of the C=O at 1624 cm −1 in the IR spectrum of enaminosulfone 6 confirm its structure which attributed to the conjugation with the aromatic-C=C and the C=C of the enamine moiety. Also, the 1 H NMR spectrum of enaminosulfone 6 clearly displayed two characteristic singlet signals for the two CH 3 and =CH protons at 3.29 and 8.11 ppm in addition to an aromatic multiplets in the region δ 7.36-7.99 ppm. It is important to notice that the large value of chemical shift of =CH of enaminone moiety (δ = 8.11 ppm) indicated that enaminone 6 was assigned the E-configuration [32]. This large value of the trans-H can be attributed to the high deshielding effect of the direct interaction with SO 2 group. While, Z-isomer analogous structure was reported to appear at δ 6.9 ppm [33]. Thermal or microwaves heating of the 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1one 4 with N,N-dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal (DMF-DMA) 5 using dry xylene as a solvent, afforded a single product identified as the corresponding 3-(dimethylamino)-2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one 6, in high yields (Scheme 2). All spectral data of the formed enaminosulfone 6 were in agreement with the proposed structure. The presence of low frequency of the C=O at 1624 cm −1 in the IR spectrum of enaminosulfone 6 confirm its structure which attributed to the conjugation with the aromatic-C=C and the C=C of the enamine moiety. Also, the 1 H NMR spectrum of enaminosulfone 6 clearly displayed two characteristic singlet signals for the two CH3 and =CH protons at 3.29 and 8.11 ppm in addition to an aromatic multiplets in the region δ 7.36-7.99 ppm. It is important to notice that the large value of chemical shift of =CH of enaminone moiety (δ = 8.11 ppm) indicated that enaminone 6 was assigned the E-configuration [32]. This large value of the trans-H can be attributed to the high deshielding effect of the direct interaction with SO2 group. While, Z-isomer analogous structure was reported to appear at δ 6.9 ppm [33]. The reaction of the enaminosulfone 6 with arylazodiaminopyrazole derivatives 7a-h was investigated using two different pathways under thermal and microwaves irradiation conditions. Thus, when enaminosulfone 6 was treated with arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h in glacial acetic acid, it furnished the corresponding pyrazolopyrimidines derivatives 8a-h under thermal as well as microwaves conditions (Scheme 3).  Thermal or microwaves heating of the 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1one 4 with N,N-dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal (DMF-DMA) 5 using dry xylene as a solvent, afforded a single product identified as the corresponding 3-(dimethylamino)-2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one 6, in high yields (Scheme 2). All spectral data of the formed enaminosulfone 6 were in agreement with the proposed structure. The presence of low frequency of the C=O at 1624 cm −1 in the IR spectrum of enaminosulfone 6 confirm its structure which attributed to the conjugation with the aromatic-C=C and the C=C of the enamine moiety. Also, the 1 H NMR spectrum of enaminosulfone 6 clearly displayed two characteristic singlet signals for the two CH3 and =CH protons at 3.29 and 8.11 ppm in addition to an aromatic multiplets in the region δ 7.36-7.99 ppm. It is important to notice that the large value of chemical shift of =CH of enaminone moiety (δ = 8.11 ppm) indicated that enaminone 6 was assigned the E-configuration [32]. This large value of the trans-H can be attributed to the high deshielding effect of the direct interaction with SO2 group. While, Z-isomer analogous structure was reported to appear at δ 6.9 ppm [33]. The reaction of the enaminosulfone 6 with arylazodiaminopyrazole derivatives 7a-h was investigated using two different pathways under thermal and microwaves irradiation conditions. Thus, when enaminosulfone 6 was treated with arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h in glacial acetic acid, it furnished the corresponding pyrazolopyrimidines derivatives 8a-h under thermal as well as microwaves conditions (Scheme 3).

Scheme 2. Synthesis of enaminosulfone 6.
The reaction of the enaminosulfone 6 with arylazodiaminopyrazole derivatives 7a-h was investigated using two different pathways under thermal and microwaves irradiation conditions. Thus, when enaminosulfone 6 was treated with arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h in glacial acetic acid, it furnished the corresponding pyrazolopyrimidines derivatives 8a-h under thermal as well as microwaves conditions (Scheme 3, Table 1).
4-CH3OC6H4-95 95 1 H NMR of the isolated pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives gave a strong evidence for the structure 8 rather than 9. The 1 H NMR spectra of all derivatives 8a-h were characterized with the existence of singlet signal at δ 9.13-9.23 ppm for the pyrimidine-CH-2 and not CH-4 in structure 9 as shown in Figure 3. The presence of the pyrimidine-CH-2 at δ 9.13-9.23 ppm was confirmed previously by our group via X-ray crystallography of the same ring system [34]. Also, the structure 8 was firmly established for the reaction products by an alternate synthesis. Thus, 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4 was condensed with triethylorthoformate 10 and subsequent condensation of the formed ethoxymethylene derivative 11 with arylazodiaminopyrazole derivatives 7a-h gave products identical in all respects (m.p., mixed m.p., and spectra) with those formed from the reaction enaminosulfone 6 with pyrazoles 7. It should Also, the structure 8 was firmly established for the reaction products by an alternate synthesis. Thus, 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4 was condensed with triethylorthoformate 10 and subsequent condensation of the formed ethoxymethylene derivative 11 with arylazodiaminopyrazole derivatives 7a-h gave products identical in all respects (m.p., mixed m.p., and spectra) with those formed from the reaction enaminosulfone 6 with pyrazoles 7. It should be noted that, multi-components condensation of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)-phenyl)ethan-1-one 4, DMF-DMA, and arylazodiaminopyrazole derivatives 7a-h have failed to afford the products 8a-h as shown in Scheme 3. On the other hand, one pot multi-components condensation of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4, triethylortho-formate 10, and arylazodiamino-pyrazoles 7a-h afforded the products 8a-h as shown in Scheme 4. Also, the structure 8 was firmly established for the reaction products by an alternate synthesis. Thus, 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4 was condensed with triethylorthoformate 10 and subsequent condensation of the formed ethoxymethylene derivative 11 with arylazodiaminopyrazole derivatives 7a-h gave products identical in all respects (m.p., mixed m.p., and spectra) with those formed from the reaction enaminosulfone 6 with pyrazoles 7. It should be noted that, multi-components condensation of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4, DMF-DMA, and arylazodiaminopyrazole derivatives 7a-h have failed to afford the products 8a-h as shown in Scheme 3. On the other hand, one pot multi-components condensation of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4, triethylorthoformate 10, and arylazodiamino-pyrazoles 7a-h afforded the products 8a-h as shown in Scheme 4.  In order to examine the influence of phenyl sulfonyl group pendent to pyrimidine ring on the antimicrobial activity, we have decided to synthesize a series of novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 13a-h which have an analogue structure to pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 8a-h by exclusion of the phenyl sulfonyl moiety in the pyrimidine ring in the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ring system. The latter can be achieved via reaction of another enaminosulfone derivative 12 with arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h without catalyst in glacial acetic acid under thermal as well as microwave conditions (Scheme 5). The reaction products were identified as the pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 13a-h and not the isomeric products 14 (Table 2). derivatives 13a-h which have an analogue structure to pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 8a-h by exclusion of the phenyl sulfonyl moiety in the pyrimidine ring in the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ring system. The latter can be achieved via reaction of another enaminosulfone derivative 12 with arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h without catalyst in glacial acetic acid under thermal as well as microwave conditions (Scheme 5  The structure of the products 13 have been confirmed based on spectral data. The structures of the products 13a-h were established on investigation their spectral data and their elemental analyses. For example, all 1 H NMR spectra of derivatives 13a-h revealed two doublet signals (J ≈ 4.5 Hz) near δ 7.3 and 8.8 due to pyrimidine CH-3 and CH-2 protons, respectively. The other expected products 14 were ruled out on the basis of spectral data such as 1 H NMR where the CH-4 protons was expected to resonate at low value of chemical shift δ in their 1 H NMR spectrum [35] as well as the literature reports which proved the regioselectivity of such reaction by X-ray crystallographic analysis of the product [32,36]. The structure of the products 13 have been confirmed based on spectral data (Figure 4). The structures of the products 13a-h were established on investigation their spectral data and their elemental analyses. For example, all 1 H NMR spectra of derivatives 13a-h revealed two doublet signals (J ≈ 4.5 Hz) near δ 7.3 and 8.8 due to pyrimidine CH-3 and CH-2 protons, respectively. The other expected products 14 were ruled out on the basis of spectral data such as 1 H NMR where the CH-4 protons was expected to resonate at low value of chemical shift δ in their 1 H NMR spectrum [35] as well as the literature reports which proved the regioselectivity of such reaction by X-ray crystallographic analysis of the product [32,36].
Attempts to achieve the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 13a-h via alternative pathway through multicomponent condensation of the acetyl derivative 1, triethylorthoformate 10, and arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h were not useful in this case (Scheme 5).
From the mechanistic point of view, the multi component synthesis of 8a-h was expected to proceed via Michael-type addition in acidic medium of arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h to the activated double bond of the ethoxymethylene derivative 11 of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4 followed by loss of ethanol and subsequent intramolecular cyclization via elimination of water to afford the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidines derivatives 8a-h, all intermediates were illustrated in Scheme 6. In the same manner and under the same acidic medium, the mechanism of the formation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 13a-h is shown in Scheme 6 which involves Michael type addition followed by cyclocondensation of the non-isolable Michael adduct 18 by loss of dimethylamine to form another three non-isolable intermediates 19-21 then followed by elimination of water molecule to afford the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 13a-h.  4-CH3O C6H4-94 98 Attempts to achieve the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 13a-h via alternative pathway through multicomponent condensation of the acetyl derivative 1, triethylorthoformate 10, and arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h were not useful in this case (Scheme 5).
From the mechanistic point of view, the multi component synthesis of 8a-h was expected to proceed via Michael-type addition in acidic medium of arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h to the activated double bond of the ethoxymethylene derivative 11 of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)ethan-1-one 4 followed by loss of ethanol and subsequent intramolecular cyclization via elimination of water to afford the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidines derivatives 8a-h, all intermediates were illustrated in Scheme 6. In the same manner and under the same acidic medium, the mechanism of the formation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 13ah is shown in Scheme 6 which involves Michael type addition followed by cyclocondensation of the non-isolable Michael adduct 18 by loss of dimethylamine to form another three non-isolable intermediates 19-21 then followed by elimination of water molecule to afford the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines derivatives 13a-h

Antimicrobial Activity
The antimicrobial activity of twelve new synthesized derivatives 8a-d, 8h, 13a, and 13c-h were tested against two fungi species (Aspergillus niger and Geotrichum candidum) (Table 3), four Grampositive bacteria as well as four Gram-negative which listed in Tables 4 and 5. The reference drugs were commonly applied antibiotics such as Amphotericin B (For Fungi), Ampicillin, and Gentamicin Scheme 6. The general mechanism of formation of compounds 8a-h and 13a-h from ethoxymethylene derivative 11 and enaminone 12.

Antimicrobial Activity
The antimicrobial activity of twelve new synthesized derivatives 8a-d, 8h, 13a, and 13c-h were tested against two fungi species (Aspergillus niger and Geotrichum candidum) (Table 3), four Gram-positive bacteria as well as four Gram-negative which listed in Tables 4 and 5. The reference drugs were commonly applied antibiotics such as Amphotericin B (For Fungi), Ampicillin, and Gentamicin (For Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria). The first thing that can be seen from the listed results of antimicrobial activity is that all the studied derivatives did not have any effect on P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes.
For the activity of the tested derivatives against two fungi: There are three pyrazolopyrimidine sulfone derivatives 13c, 13d, and 13g were found more potent than Amphotericin B.  8a-d, 8h, 13a, and 13c-  In case of the activity against the Gram-positive bacteria only one derivative 13d exceeds the activity of the reference drug Ampicillin against S. epidermidis (Table 4). While, two derivatives 13d and 13g revealed activity more than the reference drug used against E. coli. Otherwise, three pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives 13c, 13d, and 13g were found more reactive than Gentamicin against S. typhimurium (Table 5).
All the other tested pyrazolopyrimidines revealed activity good to moderate against all tested microbes except P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes.
Minimum inhibitor concentration of the three most potent pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives 13c, 13d, and 13g listed in Table 6 indicated that derivative 13d is the most effective compound.  It is clear that the presence of one sulfone group in the pyrazolopyrimidine system enhances the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized drugs, and increasing the number of sulfone groups in our case does not increase the biological activity of the compounds. Therefore, we recommend the preparation of pyrazolopyrimidine system with one sulfone group and complete the study by determining the antibacterial activity of most promising compounds on mice models 3. Materials and Methods

General
Melting points of synthesized compounds were measured on a Gallenkamp melting point apparatus. The infrared spectra were recorded in potassium bromide discs Shimadzu a FT-IR-4100 infrared spectrophotometer (400-4000 cm−1, JASCO, Easton, MD, USA). Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were recorded in DMSO-d 6 or CDCl 3 Using a Varian Mercury VXR-300 NMR spectrometer (JEOL, Tokyo, Japan). Chemical shifts δ were related to that of the used solvents. MS spectra were recorded on a Shimadzu GCMS-QP1000 EX mass spectrometer at 70 eV (Tokyo, Japan). The Microwave irradiation was carried out on a CEM mars machine (CEM Corporation, Matthews, NC, USA). CEM has several vessel types that are designed for their ovens: Closed-system vessels including the HP-500 (CEM Corporation, Matthews, NC, USA) (500 psig material design pressure and 260 • C), liners are composed of PFA, and are ideal for many types of samples. HP-500 Plus vessels are ideal for routine digestion applications. Process up to 14 high-pressure vessels per run with temperatures up to 260 • C or pressures up to 500 psi. Elemental analyses were carried out at the microanalytical center of Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

Method B: Microwaves Method
In a HP-500 process vial a mixture of 1-(4-benzenesulfonyl-phenyl)-ethanone (1) (2.6 g, 0.01 mol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (2 g, 0.01 mol) in acetonitile (12 mL) was added N-bromosuccinimide (1.78 g, 0.01 mol) portion wise then the vial was capped properly and was irradiated by microwaves irradiation (400 W power) using pressurized conditions at 90 • C for a period of 15 min. After the reaction mixture was cooled, the solvent was evaporated and H 2 O was added and the product was extracted using chloroform to give 1-(4-benzenesulfonyl-phenyl)-2-bromo-ethanone

Method A: Thermal Method
A mixture of compound 3 (3.4 g, 0.01 mol) and sodium benzene sulfinate (1.64 g, 0.01 mol) in ethanol (12 mL) in suitable round flask was refluxed for 5 h with constant stirring. After the reaction was completed which evidenced using TLC technique, the reaction mixture was poured into ice cold water, the white precipitate was filtered off, dried, and crystallized from ethanol/n-hexane to give the disulfone derivative 4 as white crystals, yield (95%),

Method B: Microwaves Method
A mixture of compound 3 (3.4 g, 0.01 mol) and sodium benzene sulfinate (1.64 g, 0.01 mol) in ethanol (12 mL) were mixed in a HP-500 process vial. The vail was capped properly and was irradiated by microwaves irradiation (800 W power) using pressurized conditions at 70 • C for a period of 25 min. The reaction mixture was the reaction mixture was poured into ice cold water, the white precipitate was filtered off, dried, and crystallized from ethanol/n-hexane to give the disulfone derivative 4 as white crystals, yield (96%), mp.
The physical and spectral data of the synthesized compounds 6 and 12 are listed below. Method B (for compounds 8a-h only): A solution of disulfone derivative 4 (0.4 g, 0.001 mol) and an equivalent molar ratio of the appropriate arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h in triethylorthoformate (20 mL), was heated under reflux for 7 h. The excess solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure and the residue was left to cool. The precipitated solid product was collected by filtration, washed with EtOH, dried, and finally recrystallized from DMF/EtOH to afford the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 8a-h.

Microwaves Methods
Method A: A mixture of Enaminone 6 or enaminone 12 (0.001 mol) and the appropriate arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h (0.001 mol) in in 20 mL glacial acetic acid were mixed in a HP-500 process vial. The vail was capped properly and was irradiated by microwaves irradiation (800 W power) using pressurized conditions at 110 • C for 15 min. The reaction mixture was left to cool and the precipitated solid product was collected by filtration, washed with EtOH, dried, and finally recrystallized from DMF/EtOH to afford the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 8a-h or 13a-h. The physical and spectral data of the synthesized compounds 8a-h and 13a-h are listed below.
Method B (for compounds 8a-h only): A mixture of disulfone derivative 4 (0.4 g, 0.001 mol) and an equivalent molar ratio of the appropriate arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h in triethylorthoformate (20 mL), was mixed in a HP-500 process vial. The vail was capped properly and was irradiated by microwaves irradiation (800 W power) using pressurized conditions at 110 • C for 15 min. The reaction mixture was left to cool and the precipitated solid product was collected by filtration, washed with EtOH, dried, and finally recrystallized from DMF/EtOH to afford the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 8a-h. The physical and spectral data of the synthesized compounds 8a-h and 13a-h are listed below.
Method C (for compounds 8a-h only): A mixture of compound 11 (0.001 mol) and the appropriate arylazodiaminopyrazoles 7a-h (0.001 mol) in in 20 mL glacial acetic acid were mixed in a HP-500 process vial. The vail was capped properly and was irradiated by microwaves irradiation (800 W power) using pressurized conditions at 110 • C for 15 min. The reaction mixture was left to cool and the precipitated solid product was collected by filtration, washed with EtOH, dried, and finally recrystallized from DMF/EtOH to afford the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 8a-h.
In case of estimation the MIC of the examined samples, micro-dilution test was performed in 96-well plates. Two-fold dilutions of each sample were prepared in the test wells, the final drug concentrations being (125-0.004) µg/mL, control wells were prepared with culture medium only and microbial suspension only. The plates were sealed and incubated for 24 h at 37 • C for bacteria and for 48 h at 28 • C for fungi, after each incubation time, MIC was detected as the lowest sample concentration that prevented microbial growth. Each MIC was determined three times.

Conclusions
In conclusion, we have synthesized new series of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives incorporated phenylsulfonyl and arylazo moieties using a simple methodology. The synthetic methodology included the use of conventional heating and microwaves irradiation under pressurized conditions in a safe manner. The antimicrobial activities of novel compounds are evaluated and three compounds 13c, 13d, and 13g demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity against all Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Other sulfone derivatives showed fair to low antibacterial and antifungal activities. In general, derivatives containing one phenylsulfonyl group are more effective against all most antibacterial and antifungal species used than that contain two phenylsulfonyl groups.
Author Contributions: M.R.S. Conceived and designed the experiments, analyzed and interpreted the data, contributed reagents and materials, and wrote the paper. T.A.F. Conceived and designed the experiments, analyzed and interpreted the data, and wrote the paper. A.M.R.A. Performed the experiments, analyzed, and interpreted the data.
Funding: All authors would like to thank Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University for supporting this work (Project code: 18-SCI-5-06-0005).

Conflicts of Interest:
The authors declare no conflict of interest.