Antiviral activity of indole derivatives.

Unsymmetrical methylene derivatives 5 were prepared following a known method, by reaction of the Mannich bases of 2-naphthols 4 with indoles. All synthesized compounds were tested against a wide panel of viruses, since previous work showed that Mannich bases on 7-hydroxycoumarin 1 and unsymmetrical methylene derivatives 2 were endowed with some antiviral activities. The symmetrical Mannich bases 4 were completely inactive, whereas the unsymmetrical methylene derivatives 5, although possessing a certain degree of toxicity, showed a significant activity against RSV. Some of compounds 5 showed a moderate antiviral activity against HIV-1, BVDV, YFV and CVB-2. The lack of activity of Mannich bases 4 demonstrates the crucial importance for antiviral activity of coumarin moiety present in Mannich bases 1.