Organometallic Derivatives of Decoquinate Targeted toward <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>

Toxoplasmosis is an infection contracted by exposure to Toxoplasma gondii and can have deleterious health effects on pregnant women their children. Current treatments for the are complex considerable undesired side effects, raising need new treatments. Herein, we report synthesis, characterization, biological testing of some organometallic derivatives commercially available, broad-spectrum antiparasitic, decoquinate (DCQ). The cyclic secondary amine was functionalized with a range groups (i.e., ferrocene, ruthenocene, phenyl) either methyl or vinyl bridges. Through measurement half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) T. proliferation assays, it found that ferrocenylvinyl-DCQ oxygen-alkylated phenylvinyl-DCQ product reduced parasite 84% at 1 μM, which approached parent drug (96%). These data provide possible roadmap future investigations derivatization DCQ yield better toxoplasmosis, particularly functionalization ketone.