Design, synthesis and neuraminidase inhibitory activity of N-(5-benzyl-4-(tert-butyl)thiazol-2-yl)benzamides

A series of N-(5-benzyl-4-(tert-butyl)thiazol-2-yl)benzamides were synthesized and the structures were characterized by 1H NMR, MS and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of compounds F5 and F16 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The neuraminidase inhibitory activities of compounds F1–F32 were evaluated in vitro at the concentration of 40 μg/mL. The results indicated that compounds F8, F26 and F32 exhibited most potent inhibitory activity against NA. Molecular docking was performed by LeDock to further explain the structure–activity relationship of compound F26. The docking modeling showed that compound F26 was in good combination with oseltamivir binding sites of NA and could be a potential NA inhibitor agent.