Aldimines (Schiff’s bases) undergo nucleophilic addition with diethyl/dimethyl/diphenylphosphite (Pudovik reaction) in the presence of a catalytic amount of tetramethylguanidine (TMG) at ambient temperature to afford the corresponding α-aminophosphonates in high yields. The Schiff’s bases were prepared by reacting cinnamaldehyde with substituted amines in refluxing absolute alcohol. The structures of the title compounds were established by elemental analysis and IR, 1H, 13C, 31PNMR and FAB mass spectral data. The antimicrobial activities of these compounds were evaluated and they exhibited significant antimicrobial activity.KEYWORDS: Imines, α-aminophosphonates, tetramethylguanidine (TMG), dialkyl- and arylphosphites, antimicrobial activity
