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

Abstract A series of N -((1,3-diphenyl-1 H -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 (EC 50 s ranging from 5 μM to 28 μM). SAR studies suggested that the presence of a trifluoromethyl group in R 1 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 R 1 of a chlorine or a bromine atom.