Graphene oxide decorated with Cu(i)Br nanoparticles: a reusable catalyst for the synthesis of potent bis(indolyl)methane based anti HIV drugs

Abstract

A GO–Cu(I)Br nanocatalyst has been prepared, and applied for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes. The catalyst is highly effective, is required in much lower amounts (0.05 mol%), and is recyclable for up to six reaction cycles without loss in activity. The synthesized compounds have been screened for their in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity, and compound 3d has shown significant anti-HIV-1 effects. Molecular modelling of 3d with reverse transcriptase enzyme has been carried out to understand its binding mechanism to the active enzyme site.