Tandem synthesis and in vitro antiplasmodial evaluation of new naphtho[2,1-d]thiazole derivatives

A series of naphtho[2,1-d]thiazoles was prepared in good yields under microwave irradiation with an original protocol combining tandem direct arylation and intramolecular Knoevenagel reaction on 1,3-thiazole derivatives. Antiplasmodial evaluation of this series highlighted two hit compounds (compounds 11 and 13) displaying promising in vitro activity on the multiresistant K1 Plasmodium falciparum strain. Structure-toxicity and structure-activity relationships are also discussed and reveal the importance of the R(1) and R(4) substituents of the naphthyl moiety for the biological profile of the series.