Design, synthesis and determination of antifungal activity of 5(6)-substituted benzotriazoles

In an effort to find inhibitors that are effective against both Candida and Aspergillus spp., a series of 5(6)-(un)substituted benzotriazole analogs, represented by compounds 3a–3h and 3b′–3f′, were prepared using a crystalline oxirane intermediate 1 previously synthesized in our laboratory. All the compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against various species of Candida and Aspergillus. Compounds 3b′ (5,6-dimethylbenzotriazol-2-yl derivative), 3d (5-chlorobenzotriazol-1-yl derivative) and 3e′ (6-methylbenzotriazol-1-yl derivative) exhibited potent antifungal activity, with the MICs for Candida spp. and Aspergillus niger, ranging from 1.6 μg/mL to 25 μg/mL and 12.5 μg/mL to 25 μg/mL, respectively. The present work describes the design, synthesis, regioisomer characterization (through COSY and NOESY 2D-NMR spectroscopy and single molecule X-ray crystallography), antifungal evaluation, molecular docking, and structure-activity relationships of the various 5(6)-(un)substituted benzotriazole analogs.

A series of 5(6)-(un)substituted benzotriazole analogs were identified as broad spectrum antifungal agents.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide