Design and synthesis of substituted 4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine-2-carboxamides, novel HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

A series of 4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine-2-carboxamides was synthesized and tested for their inhibition of HIV-1 integrase catalytic activity and HIV-1 replication in cells. Structure–activity studies around lead compound 5 indicated that a coplanar relationship of metal-binding heteroatoms provides optimal binding to the integrase active site. Identification of potency-enhancing substituents and adjustments in lipophilicity provided 17b which inhibits integrase-catalyzed strand transfer with an IC50 value of 74 nM and inhibits HIV-1 replication in cell culture in the presence of 50% normal human serum with an IC95 value of 63 nM.