Synthesis and antiviral activities of some 4,4'- and 2,2'-dihydroxytriphenylmethanes

We synthesized some 4,4'- and 2,2'-dihydroxytriphenylmethane derivatives 3a--e and 4a--c by condensation of phenol 1 and aromatic aldehyde 2 in moderate to good yields (30--83%). Most of them showed significant antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (anti-HSV-1 activity) in a plaque reduction assay. The most potent antiviral activity (EC(50)=0.79 microg/ml) was observed in the 4,4'-dihydroxytriphenylmethane derivative 3b. This compound 3b showed lower cytotoxicity (CC(50)=30.2 microg/ml), compared to that of the prototype 3a.