Novel 1,2,3-thiadiazole derivatives as HIV-1 NNRTIs with improved potency: Synthesis and preliminary SAR studies

A novel synthetic route and anti-HIV activity evaluation of a new series of 2-(4-(2,4-dibromophenyl)-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylthio)acetamide (TTA) derivatives are described. Bioactivity assay indicated that most of the title compounds showed good activities against HIV-1. In particular, compound 7c displayed the most potent anti-HIV-1 activity (EC(50)=36.4nM), inhibiting HIV-1 replication in MT-4 cells more effectively than NVP (by sevenfold) and DLV (by eightfold). The preliminary structure-activity relationships (SAR) of the newly synthesized congeners are discussed, and molecular modeling of compound 7c in complex with HIV-1 RT is described, allowing rationalization of some SAR conclusions.