Novel fluoro-brominated benzotriazoles as potential CK2 inhibitors. How does fluorination affect the properties of benzotriazoles?

Incorporating fluorine into ligand structures is one of the most common and widely used modifications in modern drug design and pharmacology. Substitution with this small electronegative atom alters physicochemical and pharmacological properties, including standard ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) parameters, thereby modulating the activity. In this analysis, we explore these effects using a well-studied model of the catalytic domain of human protein kinase CK2 (hCK2α) and halogenated derivatives of 1-H-benzotriazole (Bt). Replacing hydrogen atoms with fluorine alters ligands' inhibitory activity and physicochemical properties, making some more suitable for therapeutic applications. Among the compounds analyzed, 5,6-dibromo-4,7-difluoro-1H-benzotriazole (FBBF) was identified as a promising lead for the further development of CK2 inhibitors.