Novel conformationally restricted triazole derivatives with potent antifungal activity

In continuation of our work on azole antifungal agents, a series of new conformationally restricted triazole derivatives possessing benzylpiperidin-4-yl methyl amino side chains were designed and synthesized. All the new azoles showed moderate to excellent in vitro antifungal activity against most of the tested pathogenic fungi. Several compounds (such as 12e, 12f, 12h and 12n) showed higher antifungal activity against Candida albicans than fluconazole. Moreover, compounds 12g–i also showed good activity against Aspergillus fumigatus with their MIC80 on the level of 1 μg/mL. Flexible molecular docking was used to analyze the binding mode of the designed compounds. They interact with CACYP51 through hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Conformationally restricted triazole derivatives possessing benzylpiperidin-4-yl methyl amino side chains are designed and synthesized. ► Several compounds show excellent in vitro antifungal activities. ► The new azoles interact with CYP51 through hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions.