Re ^I Tricarbonyl Complexes as Coordinate Covalent Inhibitors for the SARS?CoV?2 Main Cysteine Protease

Since its outbreak, the severe acute respiratory syndrome—coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted quality of life and cost hundreds-of-thousands lives worldwide. Based on global spread mortality, there is an urgent need for novel treatments which can combat this disease. To date, 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), also known as main protease, considered among most important pharmacological targets. The vast majority investigated 3CLpro inhibitors are organic, non-covalent binders. Herein, use inorganic, coordinate covalent binders proposed that attenuate activity protease. ReI tricarbonyl complexes were identified demonstrate enzymatic inhibition 3CLpro. Preliminary studies indicate selective over several human proteases. This study presents first example metal cysteine