Novel S-Mercaptotriazolebenzothiazole-Based Derivatives as Antimicrobial Agents: Design, Synthesis, and In Vitro Evaluation

Background: The search for novel antimicrobial agents effective against the emerging resistant pathogenic microorganisms to the currently used drugs is a substantial need. Herein, a novel series of compounds bearing a benzothiazolotriazole scaffold was synthesized and evaluated as potential antimicrobial agents against a panel of gram +ve, gram -ve bacteria, and fungi species. Methods: The new compounds were synthesized via hybridization between the benzothiazolotriazole scaffold and thiadiazole ring or various substituted aromatic moieties using the tethering technique in drug discovery. Results: The in vitro results revealed that these compounds have significant antifungal activity rather than antibacterial potential due to their high similarity with tricyclazole. Compound 7b bearing bromo-phenyl moiety was the most potent derivative with an MIC value of 8 μg/mL against Candida albicans and Penicillium chrysogenum. Conclusion: Collectively, benzothiazolotriazole-based derivatives are good antifungal leads and should be further actively pursued to expand treatment options for systemic and topical fungal infections.