Design, synthesis and antitrypanosomal activities of 2,6-disubstituted-4,5,7-Trifluorobenzothiophenes

Current treatments for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) are limited in their application, have undesirable dosing regimens and unsatisfactory toxicities highlighting the need for the development of a safer drug pipeline. Our medicinal chemistry programme in developing rapidly accessible and modifiable heterocyclic scaffolds led to the design and synthesis of novel substituted benzothiophenes, with 6-benzimidazol-1-ylbenzothiophene derivatives demonstrating significant antitrypanosomal activities (IC50 <1 μM) against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and no toxicity towards mammalian cells.