N-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)anilines: a novel class of anti-RSV agents

A series of N-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)anilines were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against a large panel of viruses. Most of the tested compounds interfered with RSV replication in the micromolar concentrations (EC50s ranging from 5 lM to 28 lM). SAR studies suggested that the presence of a trifluoromethyl group in R1 abolished the anti-RSV activity and enhanced the cytotoxicity while the best results in term of both anti-RSV activity and selectivity were obtained by the introduction in R1 of a chlorine or a bromine atom.