Antimicrobial activity of N-hydroxyalkyl 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-ones and their thiono analogues

N-Hydroxyalkyl derivatives of 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one and 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-thione have been prepared and their antifungal and antibacterial activity evaluated. Several compounds were active against selected fungi and Gram-positive microorganisms. Interesting activity was observed against the anaerobic strain Clostridium perfringens. Generally the more active compounds belong to the class of 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-ones. The retardation matches R(M) of the compounds was also evaluated but the results obtained show that lipophilicity has only a minor effect on the antimicrobial activity.