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

4,4'-Dihydroxytriphenylmethanes were synthesized using Bronsted acid or Lewis acid in yields of 24-86% as target compounds for developing antiviral agents. Most of the 4,4'-dihydroxytriphenylmethanes showed significant activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (anti-HSV-1 activity) in a plaque reduction assay. Higher cytotoxicity was observed generally in halogenated 4,4'-dihydroxytriphenylmethanes (2a-d) than in non-halogenated derivatives. The non-halogenated derivative, 4,4',4-trihydroxy-3-methoxytriphenylmethane (3), showed remarkable antiviral activity with an EC50 value of 1.8 mug/ml.