Synthesis of novel β-lactams and in vitro evaluation against the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

The use of three-component four-center Ugi reactions to afford the synthesis of novel β-lactams is described. Three series of compounds have been made using this reaction in combination with the Mannich reaction. All compounds formed are racemic mixtures and were tested against the chloroquine sensitive D10 strain of Plasmodium falciparum in an in vitro assay. All compounds showed low to moderate microMolar range activity with the most active compounds 2.6 and 3.1 showing IC50 values 16 μM and 15 μM respectively