Synthesis, antimicrobial activity and in-silico docking of two macrocycles based on pyrazole-tetrazole subunit

•Two macrocycles with two pyrazole-tetrazole subunits were synthesized.•Spectroscopic measurement, IR and UV of these compounds were studied.•Antimicrobial activities of these compounds were examined.•Quantum parameters of these compounds were determined using DFT method.•Docking study supports the antimicrobial study results. The design of two new macrocycles bearing two pyrazole-tetrazole subunits and a lateral arm is presented. These macrocycles and the intermediate compounds are characterized by NMR, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopies as well as elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. Two routes were evaluated to reach this kind of structures in terms of feasibility and reaction yield. The first one was unable to achieve the desired structures and several issues were confronted. However, the second route allows the obtaining of these macrocycles in moderate yields. Their quantum parameters were also determined using DFT calculations. The antimicrobial activity of these macrocycles was evaluated and the obtained results show, that both macrocycles possess good potency to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. In-silico docking calculations were performed on the biotin protein ligase in Staphylococcus aureus and results suggest a good interactions of macrocycles with the key residues of the active pocket. : [Display omitted]