Optically active N-benzyl-2-methyl-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-3(4H)-ones and N-benzyl-2-methyl-2H-benzo[b][1,4]thiazin-3(4H)-ones with potential synthetic and pharmacological interest were prepared via Smiles rearrangement in conventional as well as microwave irradiation conditions in one-pot from inexpensive (S)-2-chloropropionic acid. Most of the compounds displayed good inhibition against Gram positive bacteria and fungi in the antibiotic test.