Discovery of quinolinequinones with N-phenylpiperazine by conversion of hydroxyquinoline as a new class of antimicrobial agents targeting resistant pathogenic microorganisms

•The quinolinequinones with N-phenylpiperazine (QQ1-7) were synthesized.•Antimicrobial activity was assessed against 7 bacterial and 3 fungal strains.•Antimicrobial activity assessment found one effective quinolinequinones (QQ3).•The time-kill kinetic study was used for understanding the mode of action.•The molecular docking studies align with those from SAR.