Novel N1-substituted 1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-ones as potent non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Several N(1)-substituted 1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-ones were synthesized and evaluated as anti-HIV agents. Some of them proved to be highly effective in inhibiting HIV-1 replication at nanomolar concentration as potent non-nucleoside HIV-1 RT inhibitors (NNRTIs) with low cytotoxicity. SAR studies highlighted that the nature of the substituents at N(1) and on the benzene ring of benzimidazolone moiety significantly influenced the anti-HIV activity of this class of potent antiretroviral agents.