S-Triazine-Based Benzofuran-Chalcones as Bioactive Scaffolds: Experimental Characterization and DFT-Based Structure-Property Analysis

Abstract

In this work, two novel S-triazine-based 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzofuran-chalcone derivatives (4a and 4b) were synthesized and fully characterized using FTIR, -H-NMR, -3C-NMR, and elemental analysis. Their antimicrobial activities were evaluated against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal strains, while antioxidant properties were assessed via the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Both compounds exhibited notable antimicrobial efficacy and strong antioxidant activity across all tested concentrations. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate molecular geometry, electronic structure, vibrational properties, and optical behavior. Theoretical FTIR, UV-Vis, HOMO-LUMO, DOS, and NMR analyses showed good agreement with experimental results, revealing pronounced intramolecular charge transfer characteristics. The combined experimental and theoretical findings demonstrate that S-triazine-based benzofuran-chalcones are promising multifunctional scaffolds for the development of new antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.