Synthesis of 2-(aminocarbonylmethylthio)-1H-imidazoles as novel Capravirine analogues

Different analogues of Capravirine (AG-1549) or S-1153 were prepared by synthesis of 2-(5-benzyl-4-isopropyl-1-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ylthio)acetamide (3a-c), ethyl 5-benzyl-1-(ethoxymethyl)-4-ethyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylthio]acetate (10), 2-5-alkyl-4-substituted 1-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-ylthio]acetamides (12a-f), and 2-5-benzyl-1-(benzyloxymethyl)-4-isopropyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylthio]acetamides (14a-l) from their corresponding amino acids through a sequence of reactions: Dakin-West reaction, hydrolysis, condensation with thiocyanate derivatives, alkylation with 2-iodoacetamide and ethyl chloroacetate, and coupling with 4-pyridylmethyl chloride, ethoxymethyl chloride and benzyloxymethyl chloride. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their activity against HIV-1 (wild type) and some of them (especially Capravirine like structures) were found active.