Synthesis, in vitro evaluation, and docking studies of novel chromone derivatives as HIV-1 protease inhibitor

Novel chromone derivatives with a benzopyran-4-one scaffold have been prepared by the one-pot cyclization reaction. The in vitro inhibitory activity of these new compounds towards HIV-1 protease have been evaluated using stop time HPLC method as the preliminary screening. The most potent compound, 7,8-dihydroxy-2-(3′-trifluoromethyl phenyl)-3-(3″-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)chromone (32), showed IC50 = 0.34 μM. The molecular docking study supported results from experimental activity testing and also provided structure–activity relationship of this series.

► We synthesized a novel series of chromone derivatives.
► We evaluated the in vitro inhibitory activity of chromones against HIV-1 protease.
► Some chromones showed more potent activity compared to the known nonpeptidic inhibitors.