Synthesis of novel 7-fluoro-3-substituted-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]benzothiazoles (FTBs) as potent antifungal agents: molecular docking and in silico evaluation

A novel series of fluorinated 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]benzothiazoles was synthesized by fusion of proven antifungal lead 1,2,4-triazole with flourinated benzothiazole nucleus exploiting lead hybridization strategy. Their in vitro antifungal assay against various phytopathogenic fungi revealed that a 2- or 3-chlorinated aryl group at the 3-position of the fused system yielded outstanding and remarkable results of fungitoxicity. Compounds 3b and 3c were found to inflict the best fungitoxicity against most of the test fungi (EC50 value as low as 0.24 mmoles/L) with results better than or comparable to standards. In silico molecular docking and Lipinskii indices were in agreement with the observed trend of antifungal activity. Moreover, the toxicity analysis showed that the compounds belong to class III of toxicity which is the same as that of the recommended standards used.