Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of piperidinyl‐substituted [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives as potential anti‐HIV‐1 agents with reduced cytotoxicity

Taking the previously reported compound BH-7d as the lead, we designed and synthesized a series of piperidinyl-substituted [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, and their anti-HIV activities as well as cytotoxicities were evaluated. Several compounds exhibited moderate anti-HIV (IIIB) potency, among which 2b was the most active one (EC₅₀ = 4.29 μM). Structure-activity relationships derived from the antiretroviral results were analyzed. Additionally, most compounds demonstrated reduced cytotoxicity (CC₅₀ > 200 μM) compared with those of BH-7d and etravirine. Molecular docking study further revealed the binding conformation of 2b in the binding pocket of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.