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

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 (EC50 = 36.4 nM), 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.