Lund University > Chemical Center > Chemical Physics > Research > Projects > Development of new organometallic antimalarial agents

Development of new organometallic antimalarial agents

People involved: Ebbe Nordlander
Former members: Lotta Glans

This project is related to the following Fields, Subjects and Techniques:

Fields: Synthetic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry
Subjects: Metal Complexes
Techniques: Inorganic and organic synthesis

Every year there is an estimated 300-500 clinical cases of malaria and the disease causes 1.5-2.7 million deaths. In addition, malaria parasites have developed a resistance to the most common anti-malarials. This is especially severe in the case of chloroquine, which is a relatively cheap and safe drug. However, organometallic versions of chloroquine have shown promising activity against resistant parasites.

We are studying organometallic chloroquine derivatives, initially based on chromium. Novel half-sandwich chromium complexes with a connected chloroquine moiety are under preparation. Such chromium complexes are analogous to sandwich complexes like ferroquine3, which has shown strong anti-malarial activity. In vitro tests of their antimalarial activity will be carried out. At a later stage other chloroquine derivatives will be synthesised.

Chloroquine, Ferroquine, Ruthenoquine and a synthetic target for chromium analogues
Figure 1. Chloroquine (1), Ferroquine (2), Ruthenoquine (3) and a synthetic target for chromium analogues (4).
Last update: 22 March 2007
Maintained by: Lotta Glans