M. SRINIVAS*, D. SWAPNA, K. HARITHA , VPVS. KOTESWARA RAO Microwave mediated synthesis, Benzofuran, Isoxazoles, antimicrobial activity 1219-1228 Volume 4, Issue 6 November - December 2013 The synthesis and biological evaluation of some novel benzofuran linked isoxazole derivatives 2a-j was aimed at creating a compact new structures with a hope to get much more potent compounds with less side effects. A simple, facile microwave mediated synthesis of ten new compounds were synthesized by reacting 1-(benzofuran-2-yl)-3-(substituted phenyl)-prop-2-en-1-ones with hydroxylamine hydrochloride to yield various isoxazoles 2a-j. All the compounds were characterized by physical and spectral data. The compounds were screened for anti-microbial activities. Compounds 2d & 2j were found to possess significant anti-bacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria at the tested concentrations when compared with that of standard drug ampicillin. In anti-fungal study, compounds 2j, 2e and 2d have exhibited almost similar anti fungal activity when compared with standard drug fluconazole. These compounds can be further exploited to get the potent lead compound.