Deep eutectic solvent co-catalyzed synthesis and antimicrobial activity of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts from isatin derivatives

•Deep eutectic solvent-based protocol for cleaner synthesis of compounds with pharmacological potential.•Short reaction times at room temperature with a less amount of catalyst compared to literature reports for MBHR under conventional solvents.•Possibility of reusing DES used as solvent/co-catalyst without compromising reaction yields•Isolation and characterization of the MBHR/transesterification co-product 3h by IR, NMR, and X-ray crystallography.•Compound 3a showed antimicrobial activity against almost all strains of bacteria and fungi tested, showing growth inhibition at a concentration of 32 μg/mL.