Synthesis of fenarimols as novel drug candidates for Mycetoma

Mycetoma, an infection caused by the Eumycetoma fungus, is a neglected tropical disease. This study was done in collaboration with OpenSource Mycetoma. The non-profit Open Source Mycetoma provided structures of molecules to synthesize based on their lead compound. The novel compounds were synthesized and later purified using techniques such as column chromatography. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and thin layer chromatography (TLC), the compounds were characterized against the starting materials and other data to ensure the proper compound was synthesized. Confirmed molecules will be sent to our collaborators within the OpenSource Mycetoma organization for biological testing and will be shared with us to design new molecules. Three compounds have been successfully synthesized to date.