Design, synthesis and anticandidal evaluation of indazole and pyrazole derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/ph14030176

Candidiasis, caused by yeasts of the genus Candida, is the second cause of superficial and mucosal infections and the fourth cause of bloodstream infections. Although some antifungal drugs to treat candidiasis are available, resistant strains to current therapies are emerging. Therefore, the search for new candicidal compounds is certainly a priority. In this regard, a series of indazole and pyrazole derivatives were designed in this work, employing bioisosteric replacement, homologa-tion, and molecular simplification as new anticandidal agents. Compounds were synthesized and evaluated against C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis strains. The series of 3-phenyl-1H-indazole moiety (10a–i) demonstrated to have the best broad anticandidal activity. Particularly, compound 10g, with N,N-diethylcarboxamide substituent, was the most active against C. albicans and both miconazole susceptible and resistant C. glabrata species. Therefore, the 3-phenyl-1H-indazole scaf-fold represents an opportunity for the development of new anticandidal agents with a new chemo-type.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/ph14030176

pharmaceuticals
Article
Design, Synthesis and Anticandidal Evaluation of Indazole and
Pyrazole Derivatives
Karen Rodríguez-Villar 1, Alicia Hernández-Campos 2, Lilián Yépez-Mulia 3
,
Teresita del Rosario Sainz-Espuñes 4, Olivia Soria-Arteche 4, Juan Francisco Palacios-Espinosa 4,
Francisco Cortés-Benítez 4 , Martha Leyte-Lugo 5 , Bárbara Varela-Petrissans 4,
Edgar A. Quintana-Salazar 4 and Jaime Pérez-Villanueva 4,
*
1
Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM),
Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico; qkarenrodv@hotmail.com
Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM),
Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico; hercam@unam.mx
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, UMAE Hospital de Pediatría,
Centro Médico Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México 06720, Mexico;
lilianyepez@yahoo.com
Departamento de Sistemas Biológicos, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud,
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco (UAM-X), Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico;
trsainz@correo.xoc.uam.mx (T.d.R.S.-E.); soriao@correo.xoc.uam.mx (O.S.-A.);
jpalacios@correo.xoc.uam.mx (J.F.P.-E.); jcortesb@correo.xoc.uam.mx (F.C.-B.); bvra5302@gmail.com (B.V.-P.);
edgarqsl2811@gmail.com (E.A.Q.-S.)
2
3
4
ꢀꢁꢂꢀꢃꢄꢅꢆꢇ
ꢀꢁꢂꢃꢄꢅꢆ
5
Catedrático CONACyT Comisionado al Departamento de Sistemas Biológicos,
División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco (UAM-X),
Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico; mleyte@correo.xoc.uam.mx
Citation: Rodríguez-Villar, K.;
Hernández-Campos, A.; Yépez-Mulia,
L.; Sainz-Espuñes, T.d.R.; Soria-
Arteche, O.; Palacios-Espinosa, J.F.;
Cortés-Benítez, F.; Leyte-Lugo, M.;
Varela-Petrissans, B.; Quintana-
Salazar, E.A.; et al. Design, Synthesis
and Anticandidal Evaluation of
Indazole and Pyrazole Derivatives.
Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14, 176.
*
Correspondence: jpvillanueva@correo.xoc.uam.mx; Tel.: +52-5-54-83-72-59; Fax: +52-5-55-94-79-29
Abstract: Candidiasis, caused by yeasts of the genus Candida, is the second cause of superficial and
mucosal infections and the fourth cause of bloodstream infections. Although some antifungal drugs to
treat candidiasis are available, resistant strains to current therapies are emerging. Therefore, the search
for new candicidal compounds is certainly a priority. In this regard, a series of indazole and pyrazole
derivatives were designed in this work, employing bioisosteric replacement, homologation, and
molecular simplification as new anticandidal agents. Compounds were synthesized and evaluated
against C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis strains. The series of 3-phenyl-1H-indazole moiety
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14030176
(
10a–i) demonstrated to have the best broad anticandidal activity. Particularly, compound 10g, with
Academic Editor: Jong Heon Kim
N,N-diethylcarboxamide substituent, was the most active against C. albicans and both miconazole
susceptible and resistant C. glabrata species. Therefore, the 3-phenyl-1H-indazole scaffold represents
an opportunity for the development of new anticandidal agents with a new chemotype.
Received: 24 December 2020
Accepted: 20 February 2021
Published: 24 February 2021
Keywords: anticandidal activity; indazole; pyrazole; 3-phenyl-1H-indazole; drug design
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral
with regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional affil-
iations.
1. Introduction
Candidiasis, caused by yeasts of the genus Candida, is the second cause of superficial
and mucosal infections and the fourth cause of bloodstream infections [1,2]. Candida species
are normal inhabitants of the oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina in humans.
However, these species are classified as opportunistic and can change from harmless to
pathogenic upon variation of the host environment by physiological or non-physiological
changes [1,3].
One of the most frequent mucosal infections is vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which
affects millions of women every year and is considered an important public health problem.
An estimated 70–75% of women will be affected at some point in their lifetimes, of which
approximately 40–50% of initially infected women will have two episodes, and 5–10% of
Copyright:
© 2021 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).
Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14, 176. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14030176
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Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14, 176
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them will develop recurrent VVC [3]. Indeed, this disease is associated with enhanced
susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, pregnancy complications,
and increased risks of stillbirth or neonatal death. Moreover, when VVC is left untreated,
many complications have been associated, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility,
ectopic pregnancy, pelvic abscess, spontaneous abortion, and menstrual disorders [
the other hand, invasive candidiasis is of greater concern because it is the most common
fungal disease among hospitalized patients associated with a 40% mortality rate [ ].
According to estimates, invasive candidiasis affects more than 250,000 people globally
every year, and it is the cause of more than 50,000 deaths [ ]. In fact, the Centers for Disease
3,4]. On
2,5,6
5
Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that approximately 25,000 cases of candidemia
occur in the USA every year [7].
Candida albicans is the main etiologic species associated with VVC and invasive can-
didiasis globally [
glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, and lastly C. auris, have also been demon-
strated to cause VVC and invasive candidiasis [ ]. The conventional treatments for
2,4,5]. However, in the last decades, other Candida species such as C.
2,3,6,7
Candida infections are limited to amphotericin B (deoxycholate and various lipid formula-
tions), echinocandins (anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin), azoles (fluconazole,
itraconazole, and voriconazole) and flucytosine (5-FC) [6–9]. Nowadays, the preferred
treatment for mucosal and invasive candidiasis is fluconazole, which is active against
most Candida species and is as effective as amphotericin B, but with fewer side effects.
Nevertheless, fluconazole has limited activity against C. glabrata and C. krusei, and reports
of fluconazole-resistant strains have increased [2,5,9].
Indazole is an important heterocyclic scaffold in medicinal chemistry since it is asso-
ciated with a broad range of biological activities, e.g., anti-inflammatory, antiprotozoal,
antihypertensive, anticancer, antitumor, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-HIV, antiplatelet, and
others [10
–17]. Previous studies by our group showed that some 2,3-diphenil-2H-indazole
derivatives substituted with methyl ester or carboxylic acid groups (compounds 3a
–d;
Figure 1) have in vitro activity against C. albicans and C. glabrata. Particularly, compounds
3a and 3c showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.807 mM and 15.227 mM
against C. albicans and C. glabrata, respectively [17]. However, the information available
regarding the structural requirements for anticandidal activity is still limited. Therefore, it
is necessary to design and synthesize new indazole derivatives to gain knowledge about
the structural modifications required to improve the candicidal activity. As part of our
efforts in the search for candicidal compounds, initially, fourteen 2,3-diphenyl-2H-indazole
derivatives (series 1; Figure 1) were designed by bioisosteric replacement and homolo-
gation. It is worth mentioning that esters (e.g., 3a and 3c) can be easily hydrolyzed to
carboxylic acids and are usually considered prodrugs; therefore, we proposed a replace-
ment by amides that are a similar functional group, but slightly more stable. Different
amines were considered to explore the effect of bulky substituents in the activity. Also,
fourteen derivatives, which include 3,5-1H-pyrazole, 2-phenyl-2H-indazole and 3-phenyl-
1H-indazole, were designed employing molecular simplification strategies by removing
rings from the original 2,3-diphenil-2H-indazole scaffold (series 2, Figure 1). This strategy
has been used to reduce structural complexity, improve physicochemical properties, and
to find the minimum molecular features that are necessary for the anticandidal activity.
Compounds proposed were synthesized and tested in vitro against four Candida strains.
Then, taking advantage of the results revealed by the biological evaluations, the third series
of six 3-phenyl-1H-indazole carboxamides were synthesized and tested.

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14, 176
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Figure 1. Compounds designed by bioisosteric replacement, homologation, and molecular simplification.
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Synthesis of 2-Phenyl-2H-Indazole and 2,3-Diphenyl-2H-Indazole Derivatives
The synthesis of 2,3-diphenyl-2H-indazole derivatives 3a
in Scheme 1. 2-Phenyl-2H-indazoles (2a, 2b 2d, and 2e) were synthesized by the Cadogan
reaction starting from 2-nitrobenzaldehyde ( ) and the appropriate p-substituted aniline
under reflux with ethanol to obtain the Schiff’s base, which was then reduced as well
as cyclized with P(OEt)3 [17 18]. Compound 2c was obtained by basic hydrolysis of 2b
–r was carried out as outlined
,
1
,
.
Most of the 2,3-diphenyl-2H-indazole derivatives were prepared by a palladium-catalyzed
arylation of the corresponding 2-phenyl-2H-indazole with substituted halobenzene as
previously reported [17,19], whereas compound 3e was synthesized by a Suzuki-Miyaura
coupling of methyl (4-(3-bromo-2H-indazol-2-yl)phenyl)carbamate with phenylboronic
acid [20]. Esters 3a and 3c were hydrolyzed with NaOH to give 3b and 3d, respectively,
in good yields. Additionally, carboxylic acids 3b and 3d were converted to acyl chlorides
and then treated with the corresponding amine yielding the carboxamides 3g–k and 3n–r.
Compounds 3f and 3m were prepared by a palladium-catalyzed arylation with iodoben-
zene or 4-halobenzonitrile followed by acidic conversion to the appropriate carboxamide.
Yields for 2-phenyl-2H-indazole derivatives (2a
–
e) were moderate to high. The palladium-
catalyzed arylation yields were slightly lower than that of previously reported data [17
,19].
Compound 3e could not be obtained by this method; instead, a selective bromination of
2d at position 3, followed by a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction, was applied to give the
product in moderate yield (58%).

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14, 176
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Scheme 1. Synthesis of 2H-indazole derivatives 2a–e and 3a–r.
2.2. Synthesis of 1H-Pyrazole and 1H-Indazole Derivatives
The synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazole derivatives is displayed in Scheme 2. Pyra-
zoles 6a 6e, and 6h were prepared by cyclocondensation of the 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds
4a ) and 4-hydrazinylbenzoic acid (5a) or hydrazine (5b) with diluted H2SO4 in MeOH
,
(
–c
at room temperature (Scheme 2, Method A) [21]. Compounds 6b and 6f were obtained
by Fischer–Speier esterification from carboxylic acids 6a and 6e, respectively, whereas
hydrolysis of 6h produced the carboxylic acid 6g in good yields. Compound 6c was
synthesized through a two-step sequence starting from 5-methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-
3H-pyrazol-3-one (7), which was first converted to 5-chloro-pyrazole intermediary (7a)
and then coupled with 4-carbomethoxyphenylboronic acid pinacol ester under microwave
irradiation (Scheme 2, Method B) [20]. O-Methylation of 6c with methyl iodide at room
temperature yielded the ester 6d. It is important to mention that all pyrazole derivatives
were obtained with moderate to good yields following the proposed chemical synthesis.
Scheme 2. Synthesis of pyrazole derivatives 6a–g.

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14, 176
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Finally, a slight modification of the method reported by Huff et al. was performed,
since 3-bromo-1H-indazole (8) was coupled under microwave irradiation with phenyl-
boronic acid (9a) or 4-methoxycarbonylphenylboronic acid pinacol ester (9b) to afford the
3-phenyl-1H-indazole derivatives 10a and 10b, respectively (Scheme 3) [22]. Fischer–Speier
esterification of compound 10b gave 10c in good yield.
Scheme 3. Synthesis of 3-phenyl-1H-indazole derivatives 10a–c. All synthesized compounds were
characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra and the new structures were also characterized by
mass spectrometry. The nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectra of compounds can be found in
Figures S2–S71 in the Supplementary Materials.
2.3. Anticandidal Activity
Some structural changes were performed to gain knowledge about the features that
would improve the anticandidal activity of 2,3-diphenyl-2H-indazole derivatives. The
methyl ester group of 3a and 3c, and the carboxylic acid group of 3b and 3d were replaced
by methyl carbamate (3e
, 3l), as well as carboxamide and N-substituted carboxamides (3f–k
and 3m ). The anticandidal activity of these new derivatives was tested against C. albicans,
–
r
miconazole susceptible and resistant C. glabrata (ATCC 90030 and 32554, respectively) and
C. tropicalis (ATCC 750) using the cylinder-plate method [23], which results are presented
in Table 1. Overall, N-substituted carboxamides 3h–k and 3n–r showed activity against C.
albicans at 1 mM. Particularly, compound 3j showed the maximum inhibition of C. albicans
growth at 10 mM, but it also had activity at 1 mM. It also showed weak activity against
miconazole-resistant G. glabrata at 10 mM. Compounds 3h and 3p were active against C.
albicans, and miconazole-resistant C. glabrata species at 1 mM. Regarding carboxamide
derivatives, compound 3f was active just against C. tropicalis at 10 mM, while compound
3m had weak anticandidal activity against C. albicans and miconazole susceptible C. glabrata
at 10 mM. Concerning methyl carbamate derivatives 3e and 3l, they did not show activity
against C. albicans, but 3e was active against C. tropicalis at 10 mM and 3l had activity
against susceptible and resistant miconazole C. glabrata at 10 mM. All these results suggest
that compounds 3h and 3p (N,N-dimethyl and N,N-diethyl carboxamide, respectively) had
the best candicidal activity against C. albicans and miconazole resistant C. glabrata followed
by 3j and 3r (pyrrolidine and piperidine carboxamide, respectively). It is worth noticing
that these compounds demonstrated better activity against the miconazole-resistant C.
glabrata than to the susceptible C. glabrata.

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14, 176
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Table 1. In vitro growth inhibition of 2,3-diphenyl-2H-indazoles, 2-phenyl-2H-indazole, 3,5-1H-pyrazole, and 3-phenyl-1H-
indazole derivatives against Candida species.
C. albicans
C. glabrata
[ ] mM
C. glabrata 1
C. tropicalis
R 1
R 2
ID
10
1
0.1
10
1
0.1
10
1
0.1
10
3a
3b
3c
3d
3e
3f
3g
3h
3i
3j
3k
3l
3m
3n
3o
3p
3q
3r
CO2Me
CO2H
H
H
+
+
–
+
–
–
–
+
+
+ +
+
–
+
+
+
+
+
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+
+
+
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+
–
–
–
–
+
–
–
–
–
+
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+
–
+
–
–
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
–
–
+
–
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+ +
–
H
H
CO2Me
CO2H
H
–
NHCO2Me
CONH2
CONHMe
CONMe2
CONEt2
CONC4H8
CONC5H10
+ +
+ +
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
NHCO2Me
CONH2
CONHMe
CONMe2
CONEt2
CONC4H8
CONC5H10
–
+
+
+
+
+
–
6a
6b
6c
6d
6e
6f
Ph
Ph
4-(CO2H)Ph
4-(CO2Me)Ph
–
+
+
+
–
+
+
+
–
+
+
+
–
+
+
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+
–
–
–
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+
+
+
+
+
+
–
+
+
+
+
+
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+ +
–
–
4-(CO2H)Ph
4-(CO2Me)Ph
Me
Ph
Ph
4-(CO2H)Ph
4-(CO2Me)Ph
Me
6g
6h
4-(CO2H)Ph
4-(CO2Me)Ph
H
H
–
–
2a
2b
2c
H
–
–
–
+
+
–
+
+
+
–
+
–
–
+
+
–
+ +
–
–
–
–
–
–
+ +
–
–
+ +
–
–
–
–
–
–
2
CO2H
CO2Me
10a
10b
10c
V 3
M 4
F 5
H
CO2H
CO2Me
–
–
–
+ + +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+
–
+ +
+
+
+
+
–
+ + +
–
–
+
+
+ + +
–
–
+ +
–
+ +
–
+
+ + +
+
–
–
–
–
–
–
++
+
2
+ + + + + + + + + +
–
+ + +
+ +
1
Miconazole resistant strain; 2 compound precipitation was observed at 10 mM. (–) inactive (<12 mm); (+) weakly active (13–16 mm); (+ +)
moderately active (17–21 mm); (+ + +) strongly active (22–29 mm). Vehicle; 4 Miconazole; 5 Fluconazole.
3
On the other hand, to understand the effect of the molecular simplification of the
indazole nucleus on the anticandidal activity 3,5-1H-pyrazole (6a ), 2-phenyl-1H-indazole
2a ) and 3-phenyl-1H-indazole derivatives (10a ) were tested against Candida strains.
Their anticandidal activity is presented in Table 1. Noteworthy, most of the 3,5-1H-
pyrazole derivatives (6b and 6f) showed anticandidal activity at lower concentrations
than those of 2,3-diphenyl indazole analogs (3a ). These were active against C. albicans
–
h
(
–
c
–c
–d
–d
and miconazole-resistant C. glabrata at 1 mM. Compounds 6a and 6e showed only activity
against miconazole-resistant C. glabrata (at 1 mM), and 6g and 6h were only active against C.
albicans at 1 mM. It is worth noticing that the pyrazole 6f exhibited broad growth inhibition
against C. albicans, miconazole susceptible and resistant C. glabrata-strains and C. tropicalis.
Regarding the activity of 2-phenyl-2H-indazole (2a–c) and 3-phenyl-1H-indazole
(10a–c) derivatives, these compounds showed anticandidal activity at lower concentrations
than 2,3-diphenyl indazole and 3,5-1H-pyrazole derivatives. Compound 2b had the best

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14, 176
7 of 19
activity against C. albicans and miconazole susceptible C. glabrata strain at 100
µM and 1 mM
respectively, while 2c had the best activity against miconazole resistant C. glabrata at 1 mM
.
The 3-phenyl-1H-indazole compounds, 10a and 10c, displayed broad activity against C.
albicans, miconazole susceptible and resistant C. glabrata. Notably, the 3-phenylindazole
10a had activity against C. albicans and the miconazole resistant C. glabrata strain at 100 µM
and to miconazole susceptible C. glabrata at 1 mM, whereas 10c had the best inhibition
against C. albicans and miconazole susceptible C. glabrata at 100 M. Concerning 10b, it
,
µ
showed activity against C. albicans at 1 mM and miconazole susceptible C. glabrata at
100 µM. Additionally, to discard the DMSO effect in the growth inhibition, a control of
solvent was included in all assays (Figure S1, supporting material).
According to these results, principally structure-activity relationship features derived
from compounds tested are exhibited in Figure 2. The replacement of the carbonyl group
by N-substituted carboxamides on 2,3-diphenyl-2H-indazole nucleus led to an increase
in the growth inhibitory activity against C. albicans. The molecular simplification of 2,3-
diphenylindazole improved the antifungal activity against Candida strains tested. The 3,5-
disubstituted pyrazoles displayed better growth inhibition than the 2,3-diphenylindazole
analogs against C. albicans and miconazole resistant C. glabrata. At the same time, 2-phenyl-
2H-indazoles were active against C. albicans and both C. glabrata strains. It is important to
emphasize that 3-phenyl-1H-indazole derivatives showed the highest antifungal activity
against all Candida strains tested except for C. tropicalis.
Figure 2. Principally structure-activity relationship features derived from compounds tested.
It is important to mention that prototype compound 10a, which represents the nucleus
for the most active compounds, was also tested on three representative human cell lines
employing the MTT method [17]. The results showed 100% of cellular viability on HeLa
(human cervix), K562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia) and SW620 (human colon)
cell lines after 48h of compound exposition at 50 µM.
2.4. Synthesis and Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of
3-Phenyl-1H-Indazole Derivatives
Considering all the data obtained about 2,3-diphenyl indazole amides, as well as
molecular simplification used to select the best scaffold, six new 3-phenyl-1H-indazole
derivatives bearing small or bulky amides were synthesized (10d
were synthetized through the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of coupling 3-bromo-1H-indazole
) with several 4-phenylboronic acid pinacol esters (9c ) (Scheme 4) [22]. Yields of
–i). These compounds
(
8
–h

Pharmaceuticals 2021, 14, 176
8 of 19
carboxamide derivatives were lower compared to their unsubstituted or carboxylic acid
analogs. The above indicates that phenylboronic acid pinacol esters with a carboxamide
group are less reactive.
Scheme 4. Synthesis of carboxamide 3-phenyl-1H-indazole derivatives.
The in vitro anticandidal assays against C. albicans and C. glabrata strains of 3-phenyl-
1H-indazole derivates 10a–i were carried out following the cylinder-plate method previ-
ously described [23]. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined
and are shown in Table 2. It is noteworthy that fluconazole and miconazole were used as
reference drugs, and in addition, the purity of the compounds was determined by quan-
titative NMR (purity > 95%) to ensure that the observed MIC values were caused by the
reported compounds (Table S1 and Figure S72, supporting material). Most of the amides
kept their activity against all Candida strains, similar to compounds 10a
of them showed a slight increase in anticandidal activity. From this series, compounds
10c 10g, and 10i had the best activity against C. albicans. In contrast, 10f is the most active
–c. Indeed, some
,
compound against both miconazole susceptible and resistant C. glabrata. In addition, 10g
was active against miconazole-resistant C. glabrata. It is important to emphasize that com-
pounds with bulky carboxamides (10g
–i) had better anticandidal activity against C. albicans
than small carboxamides (10d ). These results indicated that the carboxamide group
–
f
on the 3-phenyl-1H-indazole scaffold kept antifungal activity against tested C. albicans
and C. glabrata strains. The MIC determination of the compounds tested showed to be
less active than the reference drugs. However, the antifungal activity of the proposed
compounds is still relevant and can be considered as leads for the development of new
anticandidal agents.
Table 2. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (µM) of 3-phenyl-1H-indazole derivatives.
ID
R
C. albicans
C. glabrata
C. glabrata 1
10a
10b
10c
10d
10e
10f
10g
10h
10i
H
CO2H
CO2Me
CONH2
CONHMe
CONMe2
CONEt2
CONC4H8
CONC5H10
100
200
75
150
150
150
75
100
75
50
150
100
100
150
100
75
100
100
100
–
100
–
200
100
100
75
75
150
125
50
Fluconazole
Miconazole
<50
<50
–
1
Miconazole resistant; (–) inactive.

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3. Materials and Methods
3.1. Chemistry
All chemicals and starting materials were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (Toluca, MC,
Mexico). Reactions were monitored by TLC on 0.2 mm percolated silica gel 60 F254 plates
(Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) and visualized by irradiation with a UV lamp (Upland, CA,
USA). Silica gel 60 (70–230 mesh, Düren, Germany) was used for column chromatography.
Melting points were determined in open capillary tubes with a Büchi M-565 melting
point apparatus (Flawil, Switzerland). Microwave-assisted reactions were carried out in a
monomodal reactor equipped with a hydraulic pressure sensing device and an infrared
temperature-sensor (Anton Parr Monowave 300, Anton Parr, Graz, Austria). 1H-NMR
and 13C-NMR spectra were measured with an Agilent DD2 spectrometer (Santa Clara,
CA, USA), operating at 600 MHz and 151 MHz for 1H and 13C, respectively. Chemical
shifts are given in parts per million relatives to tetramethylsilane (TMS,
δ = 0); J values are
given in Hz. Splitting patterns are expressed as follow: s, singlet; d, doublet; t, triplet; q,
quartet; dd, doublet of doublet; dt, doublet of triplete; ddd, doublet of doublets of doublets;
m, multiplet; bs, broad singlet. High-resolution mass spectra were recorded on a Bruker
ESI/APCI-TOF, MicroTOF-II-Focus spectrometer (Billerica, MA, USA) by electrospray
ionization (ESI) and low-resolution mass spectra were recorded on a Water Xevo TQ-MS by
ESI. The purity of compounds 10a–i was determined by quantitative NMR spectroscopy
(qNMR) using sodium 2,2-dimethyl- 2-silapentane-5-sulfonate (DSS) as internal standard
(Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc., Tewksbury, MA, USA). All compounds were named
using the automatic name generator tool implemented in ChemDraw 19.1.1.21 software
(PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA), according to IUPAC rules.
3.2. General Procedure for the Synthesis
3.2.1. 2-Phenyl-2H-Indazole Derivatives (2a, 2b, 2d, and 2e)
2-Phenyl-2H-indazole derivatives were synthesized employing a slight modification
of the Cadogan method [17
and aniline or the corresponding substituted aniline (1.32 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol
10 mL) and heated at reflux for 2 h. Then, the solvent was removed under vacuum to give
,18]. A mixture of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (200 mg, 1.32 mmol)
(
the appropriate 1-(2-nitrophenyl)-N-phenylmethanimine. This same reaction was carried
out at room temperature to obtain the methyl 4-((2-nitrobenzylidene)amino)benzoate. Later,
◦
triethyl phosphite (3.96 mmol) was added and heated at 150 C employing an oil bath
for 2 h under N2 atmosphere, until the starting material was consumed. After cooling,
the mixture was treated with 20 mL of 5% hydrogen peroxide solution, and the product
was extracted with ethyl acetate (3
×
15 mL). The combined organic layers were dried
over Na2SO4 and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by column
chromatography using hexane/ethyl acetate (80:20). Only compound 2b was isolated by
vacuum filtration and washed with cold ethanol to give a pure compound.
◦
2-Phenyl-2H-indazole (2a). White solid (60% yield); m.p.: 81.2–81.6 C (lit. [18]:
81–82 ◦C); the spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [17
,
24]: 1H NMR
(
600 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.40 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.91–7.88 (m, 2H), 7.79 (dd, J = 8.8, 0.9 Hz,
1H), 7.70 (dt, J = 8.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.54–7.50 (m, 2H), 7.41–7.37 (m, 1H), 7.32 (ddd, J = 8.8,
6.6, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (ddd, J = 8.4, 6.6, 0.7 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3):
δ 149.78,
140.52, 129.54, 127.88, 126.81, 122.76, 122.44, 120.99, 120.39, 120.37, 117.94.
Methyl 4-(2H-indazol-2-yl) benzoate (2b). After completion of the reaction, the product
was filtrated and washed with cold MeOH. White solid (38% yield); m.p.: 185.8–186.2 ◦C
1
(lit. [25]: 186–187 ◦C); the spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [17]: H
NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 8.47 (d, J = 0.7 Hz, 1H), 8.22–8.18 (m, 2H), 8.02–7.99 (m, 2H), 7.77
(dd, J = 8.8, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (ddd, J = 8.8, 6.6, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.14–7.10
(m, 1H), 3.95 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
127.45, 123.01, 122.98, 120.47, 120.26, 118.06, 52.33.
δ 166.19, 150.19, 143.64, 131.16, 129.27,
Methyl (4-(2H-indazol-2-yl)phenyl)carbamate (2d). Pale orange solid (17% yield);
m.p.: 163.7–165.0 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
8.46 (bs, 1H), 8.38 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H),

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7.83–7.79 (m, 2H), 7.76 (dd, J = 8.8, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J = 7.6 Hz,
2H), 7.31 (ddd, J = 8.7, 6.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (ddd, J = 8.4, 6.6, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H);
13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 154.27, 149.48, 138.52, 135.46, 126.59, 122.62, 122.20, 121.44,
120.30, 120.25, 119.20, 117.62, 52.17; MS [M+H]+ m/z 268.12.
4-(2H-indazol-2-yl)benzonitrile (2e). Yellow solid (19% yield); m.p.; 162.0–163.5 ◦C;
◦
1
(lit. [24]: 163.4–164.6 C); the spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [24]: H
NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) 8.47 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.10–8.05 (m, 2H), 7.85–7.80 (m, 2H), 7.76
(dd, J = 8.8, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (dt, J = 8.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (ddd, J = 8.8, 6.6, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.14
δ
(ddd, J = 8.5, 6.6, 0.8 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 150.37, 143.33, 133.69, 127.87,
123.36, 123.14, 120.85, 120.49, 120.37, 118.13, 118.08, 111.18; MS [M + H]+ m/z 220.11.
3.2.2. 4-(2H-Indazol-2-yl) Benzoic Acid (2c)
Methyl 4-(2H-indazol-2-yl) benzoate (300 mg, 1.26 mmol) was dissolved in methanol
(10 mL) and an aqueous solution of NaOH (3.77 mmol in 5 mL of water) was added. The
reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 5 h. After completion, the reaction mixture
was cooled on an ice bath and acidified to pH 1 with HCl to induce precipitation. The solid
was filtered under vacuum and dried.
4-(2H-Indazol-2-yl) benzoic acid (2c). White solid (96% yield); m.p.: 288.3–288.5 ◦C
1
(lit. [25]: 286–288 ◦C); the spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [17]: H
NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 13.14 (bs, 1H), 9.22 (s, 1H), 8.26 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 8.15
(d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.41–7.30 (m, 1H),
7.19–7.08 (m, 1H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 166.47, 149.23, 142.84, 130.83, 129.65,
127.28, 122.55, 122.44, 122.03, 120.99, 119.86, 117.49.
3.2.3. 2,3-Diphenyl-2H-Indazole Derivatives (3a, 3c, and 3l)
2,3-Diphenyl-2H-indazole derivatives 3a 3c, and 3l were synthesized by a palladium-
,
catalyzed arylation previously described by Ohnmacht et al. [19]. Compounds 3a and
3c were synthesized using the appropriate 2-phenyl-2H-indazole and the substituted 4-
iodobenzene, whereas compound 3l was synthesized from 2-phenyl-2H-indazole and
methyl(4-bromophenyl) carbamate.
Methyl 4-(3-phenyl-2H-indazol-2-yl) benzoate (3a). Pale yellow solid (40% yield);
m.p.: 152.4–154.9 ◦C (lit. [17]: 152.4–154.9 ◦C); the spectroscopic data matched previously
1
reported data [17]: H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 8.09–8.03 (m, 2H), 7.80 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H),
7.69 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.57–7.49 (m, 2H), 7.41 (dt, J = 3.7, 1.2 Hz, 3H), 7.35 (dd, J = 7.5,
2.0 Hz, 3H), 7.15 (ddd, J = 8.5, 6.6, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
166.19, 149.33, 143.75, 135.68, 130.40, 129.68, 129.61, 128.96, 128.64, 127.44, 125.68, 122.88,
122.06, 120.52, 117.79, 52.32.
Methyl 4-(2-phenyl-2H-indazol-3-yl) benzoate (3c). Pale yellow solid (76% yield):
m.p.: 164.5–166.3 ◦C (lit. [17]: 164.5–166.3 ◦C) the spectroscopic data matched previously
1
reported data [17
,
26]: H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
8.09–8.03 (m, 2H), 7.82 (d, J = 8.8 Hz,
1H), 7.72 (dt, J = 8.5, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.46–7.36 (m, 8H), 7.19 (ddd, J = 8.5, 6.5, 0.6 Hz, 1H), 3.93
(s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3) δ 166.55, 149.08, 139.99, 134.37, 134.13, 129.97, 129.66,
129.49, 129.18, 128.59, 127.14, 126.04, 123.18, 121.90, 120.09, 118.02, 52.29.
Methyl (4-(2-phenyl-2H-indazol-3-yl)phenyl)carbamate (3l). Pale brown solid (26%
◦
yield): m.p.: 197.9–199.7 C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 9.85 (s, 1H), 7.70 (ddt, J = 24.0,
8.5, 0.9 Hz, 2H), 7.53 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.50–7.41 (m, 5H), 7.37 (ddd, J = 8.7, 6.6, 1.1 Hz,
1H), 7.30–7.26 (m, 2H), 7.14 (ddd, J = 8.5, 6.5, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz,
DMSO-d6)
δ 154.36, 148.61, 140.36, 139.82, 135.37, 130.46, 129.52, 128.89, 127.25, 126.45,
123.41, 122.67, 121.46, 120.95, 118.66, 117.78, 52.20; MS [M+H]+ m/z 344.1381.
3.2.4. 2,3-Diphenyl-2H-Indazole Derivatives (3b and 3d)
Employing the hydrolysis method 3.2.2 described above, compounds 3b and 3d were
prepared from their esters 3a or 3c, respectively.

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4◦-(3-Phenyl-2H-indazol-2-◦yl) benzoic acid (3b). White solid (70% yield); m.p.: 129.2–
130.1 C (lit. [17]: 129.2–130.1 C); the spectroscopic data matched previously reported
1
data [17]: H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 8.01 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H),
7.69 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.57 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.44 (dddd, J = 11.9, 7.6, 5.4, 3.9 Hz, 6H),
7.21–7.15 (m, 1H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ
166.49, 148.52, 143.08, 135.26, 130.53,
130.15, 129.52, 129.03, 128.95, 128.71, 127.26, 125.99, 122.81, 121.38, 120.40, 117.49.
4◦-(2-Phenyl-2H-indazol-3-yl) benzoic acid (3d). White solid (88% yield); mp: 296.2–
◦
298.2 C (lit. [17]: 296.2–298.2 C); the spectroscopic data matched previously reported
1
data [17]: H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ δ 7.92 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J = 8.7 Hz,
1H), 7.71 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.50–7.41 (m, 5H), 7.38 (ddd, J = 8.7, 6.6, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.28
(d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.19–7.13 (m, 1H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 169.13, 148.11,
140.15, 139.79, 135.10, 129.32, 129.17, 128.98, 128.37, 128.26, 126.77, 125.88, 122.34, 121.02,
120.38, 117.29.
3.2.5. 2,3-Diphenyl-2H-Indazole Derivatives (3f and 3m)
The proper 2-phenyl-2H-indazole (2a or 2e) and 4-bromobenzonitrile or 4-iodobenzene
were reacted employing the previously described method by Ohnmacht et al. [19] to give
the benzonitrile derivative. Then, the intermediate was dissolved and stirred in H2SO4
(1 mL) at room temperature overnight. After completion, the mixture was poured into
ice-water (15 mL) to induce precipitation. The solid was filtered under vacuum and dried.
4-(3-Phenyl-2H-indazol-2-yl)benzamide (3f). White solid (57% yield): m.p.: 221.6–
222.8 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (dt, J = 8.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.55–7.37 (m, 9H), 7.18 (ddd, J = 8.5, 6.6, 0.8
δ 8.09 (s, 1H), 7.97–7.92 (m, 2H), 7.76 (dt, J = 8.8,
Hz, 1H). 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 167.30, 148.85, 142.33, 135.65, 134.40, 129.97,
129.50, 129.45, 129.09, 128.77, 127.59, 126.14, 123.16, 121.78, 120.81, 117.91; MS [M+H]+
m/z 314.1294.
4-(2-Phenyl-2H-indazol-3-yl)benzamide (3m). Pale yellow solid (34% yield): m.p.:
230.6–232.7 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ
8.05 (s, 1H), 7.93 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.77
(d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.72 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (ddd, J = 15.3, 11.3, 7.9 Hz, 8H), 7.40
(dd, J = 11.7, 3.7 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (dd, J = 8.1, 6.9 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ
167.63, 148.69, 140.16, 134.64, 134.28, 132.31, 129.70, 129.64, 129.16, 128.40, 127.41, 126.57,
123.30, 121.71, 120.68, 117.96; MS [M+H]+ m/z 314.1281.
3.2.6. Methyl (4-(3-Phenyl-2H-indazol-2-yl)phenyl) Carbamate (3e)
Methyl (4-(phenyl-2H-indazole-2-yl)phenyl) carbamate 2d (500 mg, 1.88 mmol) was
dissolved in acetic acid (5 mL). Bromine (1.8 mL of 1 M solution in acetic acid) was slowly
added at 0–5 ◦C and then led to warm at room temperature and stirred overnight. After
completion of the reaction, ice-water was added and the solid formed was filtered and
dried under vacuum. The crude intermediate (0.5 mmol) was treated with phenylboronic
acid (0.55 mmol), Na2CO3 (1.5 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (0.01 mmol) and 3 mL of DME/water
◦
(3:1). The mixture was heated under microwave irradiation at 155 C for 30 min [20]. After
cooling, the solvent was removed under vacuum and the obtained product was purified by
column chromatography using hexane/ethyl acetate (60:40).
Methyl (4-(3-phenyl-2H-indazol-2-yl)phenyl)carbamate (3e). White solid (58% yield):
m.p.: 201.5–202.5 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ
9.91 (s, 1H), 7.73 (dt, J = 8.8, 0.9 Hz,
1H), 7.67 (dt, J = 8.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.48–7.44 (m, 2H), 7.43–7.39
(
(
m, 1H), 7.39–7.31 (m, 5H), 7.15 (ddd, J = 8.5, 6.6, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 3.69 (s, 3H); 13C NRM
151 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 154.39, 148.48, 139.76, 135.26, 134.59, 129.87, 129.71, 129.32, 128.83,
127.16, 127.02, 122.81, 121.45, 120.71, 118.52, 117.77, 52.25; MS [M+H]+ m/z 344.1391.
3.2.7. 2,3-Diphenyl-2H-Indazole Carboxamides (3g–k and 3n–r)
Method A: To a solution of carboxylic acids 3b or 3d (250 mg, 0.8 mmol) in benzene
(
5 mL), SOCl2 (0.35 mL, 4.8 mmol) was added. The mixture was heated at 70 ◦C for 4 h
.
After completion, the excess of SOCl2 was distilled-off at reduced pressure (3
×
5 mL

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of benzene) to give the acyl chloride intermediate and then stirred with an excess of the
adequate amine (16 mmol) at room temperature for 30 min. The mixture was poured
in methanol and heated until solids were dissolved. Water was added to induces the
precipitation of the compound. The formed solid was separated by vacuum filtration.
Finally, the crude product was purified by column chromatography using hexane/ethyl
acetate (80:20).
N,N-Diethyl-4-(3-phenyl-2H-indazol-2-yl)benzamide (3i). Pale yellow solid (80%
yield); m.p.: 136.5–138.0 ◦C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 7.79 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (d,
J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.52–7.48 (m, 2H), 7.48–7.35 (m, 8H), 7.15 (ddd, J = 8.3, 6.5, 0.5 Hz, 1H), 3.55
(s, 2H), 3.24 (s, 2H), 1.25 (s, 3H), 1.09 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3) δ 170.25, 149.18,
140.78, 137.00, 135.61, 129.71, 129.57, 128.99, 128.57, 127.29, 127.21, 125.93, 122.73, 121.91,
120.59, 117.72, 43.35, 39.47, 14.21, 12.90; MS [M+H]+ m/z 370.23.
(4-(3-Phenyl-2H-indazol-2-yl)phenyl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone (3j). Pale brown
solid (40% yield); m.p.: 186.1–186.2 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 7.79 (d, J = 8.8 Hz,
1H), 7.71 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.61–7.52 (m, 2H), 7.52–7.45 (m, 2H), 7.45–7.34 (m, 6H), 7.18–
7.12 (m, 1H), 3.65 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 3.40 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.00–1.93 (m, 2H), 1.92–1.85
(m, 2H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 168.60, 149.15, 141.22, 136.84, 135.56, 129.66, 129.56,
128.95, 128.54, 127.97, 127.26, 125.70, 122.71, 121.90, 120.54, 117.70, 49.56, 46.29, 26.40, 24.41;
MS [M+H]+ m/z 368.24.
(4-(3-Phenyl-2H-indazol-2-yl)phenyl)(piperidin-1-yl)methanone (3k). White solid
(73% yield); m.p.: 136.0–138.0 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 7.81 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H),
7.73 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.48–7.34 (m, 10H), 7.20–7.14 (m, 1H), 3.71 (bs, 2H), 3.38 (bs, 2H),
1.85–1.57 (bs, 6H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3) 169.56, 149.00, 140.02, 136.12, 134.41, 131.01,
129.56, 129.13, 128.45, 127.41, 127.04, 126.02, 122.85, 121.81, 120.22, 117.89, 48.77, 43.20, 26.59,
25.54, 24.54; MS [M+H]+ m/z 382.26.
N,N-Diethyl◦-4-(2-phenyl-2H-indazol-3-yl)benzamide (3p). White solid (88 % yield);
m.p.: 148.4–149.6 C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 7.81 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (d, J = 8.5 Hz,
1H), 7.49–7.36 (m, 10H), 7.19–7.14 (m, 1H), 3.56 (bs, 2H), 3.29 (bs, 2H), 1.26 (bs, 3H), 1.14
(bs, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
170.57, 149.03, 140.06, 136.93, 134.47, 130.79, 129.59,
δ
129.13, 128.47, 127.06, 126.92, 126.05, 122.86, 121.80, 120.24, 117.92, 43.39, 39.41, 14.25, 12.89;
MS [M+H]+ m/z 370.26.
(4-(2-Phenyl-2H-indazol-3-yl)phenyl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone (3q). White solid
(37% yield); m.p.: 167.0–168.8 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 7.81 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H),
7.72 (dt, J = 8.5, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.46–7.36 (m, 8H), 7.17 (ddd, J = 8.4,
6.5, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 3.66 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 3.46 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.01–1.95 (m, 2H), 1.94–1.88
(m, 2H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 168.95, 149.03, 140.04, 136.82, 134.46, 131.39, 129.44,
129.15, 128.49, 127.68, 127.09, 126.04, 122.90, 121.84, 120.23, 117.91, 49.60, 46.33, 26.46, 24.43;
MS [M+H]+ m/z 368.24.
(4-(2-Phenyl-2H-indazol-3-yl)phenyl)(piperidin-1-yl)methanone (3r). White solid (90%
yiled); m.p.: 198.2–199.2 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
7.81 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.73
(d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.55–7.28 (m, 10H), 7.20–7.14 (m, 1H), 3.72 (bs, 2H), 3.38 (bs, 2H), 1.69
(bs, 6H).13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
169.56, 149.00, 140.02, 136.12, 134.41, 131.01, 129.56,
δ
129.13, 128.45, 127.41, 127.04, 126.02, 122.85, 121.81, 120.22, 117.89, 48.77, 43.22, 26.57, 25.59,
24.54; MS [M+H]+ m/z 382.26.
Method B: The acyl chlorides were synthesized employing the same procedure as
described in method A. Next, the crude acyl chloride was mixed with methylamine hy-
drochloride or N,N-dimethylamine hydrochloride (1 mmol) and dissolved in anhydrous
CH2Cl2 (3 mL). Then, triethylamine (1.0 mmol) was slowly added to the mixture and stirred
at room temperature for 2 h. After completion, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The
product was purified by column chromatography using hexane/ethyl acetate (70:30).
N-Methyl-4-(3-phenyl-2H-indazol-2-yl)benzamide (3g). Pale brown solid (43% yield);
m.p.:194.3–195.4 ◦C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
(m, 2H), 7.70 (dt, J = 8.5, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.53–7.43 (m, 2H), 7.43–7.30 (m, 6H), 7.15 (ddd, J = 8.5
6.5, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 6.38 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 3.01 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 7.78 (dt, J = 8.9, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.77–7.74
,

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δ
167.20, 149.22, 142.42, 135.66, 134.18, 129.65, 129.53, 128.94, 128.60, 127.68, 127.40, 125.88,
122.81, 121.95, 120.53, 117.66, 26.89; MS [M+H]+ m/z 328.1439.
N,N-Dimethyl-4-(3-phenyl-2H-indazol-2-yl)benzamide (3h). Pale brown solid (70%
yield); m.p.:153.0–154.5 ◦C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 7.75 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.68
(d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.53–7.35 (m, 10H), 7.20–7.14 (m, 1H), 2.99 (s, 3H), 2.91 (s, 3H); 13C NMR
(151 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 169.52, 148.78, 140.70, 136.78, 135.56, 129.95, 129.48, 129.43, 129.08,
128.23, 127.53, 126.32, 123.12, 121.67, 120.82, 117.89, 35.18; MS [M+H]+ m/z 342.24.
N-Methyl-4-(2-phenyl-2H-indazol-3-yl)benzamide (3n). Pale brown solid (62% yield);
m.p.: 235.7–236.6 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 8.52 (d, J = 4.5 Hz, 1H), 7.89–7.86
(
m, 2H), 7.79–7.75 (m, 1H), 7.72 (dd, J = 8.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.51–7.44 (m, 7H), 7.40 (ddd, J = 8.6,
6.6, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.23–7.17 (m, 1H), 2.79 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
166.40, 148.69, 140.16, 134.62. 134.54, 132.10, 129.76, 129.63, 129.14, 127.98, 127.41, 126.56,
123.29, 121.69, 120.67, 117.97, 26.72; MS [M+H]+ m/z 328.1442.
N,N-Dimethy◦l-4-(2-phenyl-2H-indazol-3-yl)benzamide (3o). White solid (82% yield);
1
m.p.: 166.2–168.0 C; H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) 7.76 (dt, J = 8.7, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.72
(dt, J = 8.5, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 7.51–7.44 (m, 7H), 7.43–7.38 (m, 3H), 7.19 (ddd, J = 8.5, 6.6, 0.7 Hz,
1H), 2.99 (s, 3H), 2.92 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6) 174.63, 153.43, 144.91, 141.38,
139.46, 135.24, 134.48, 134.37, 133.89, 132.67, 132.15, 131.28, 127.94, 126.42, 125.46, 122.70,
39.94; MS [M+H]+ m/z 342.21.
3.2.8. Synthesis of Pyrazole Derivatives (6a, 6e, and 6h)
To a solution of 1,3-dicarbonyl compound (2 mmol) in 5 mL of a 5% methanolic
solution of H2SO4, hydrazine hydrate or 4-hydrazinylbenzoic acid (2 mmol) was added.
The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2–5 h and then cooled on an ice
bath. To induce a complete precipitation, water (2–5 mL) was added. The resulting solid
was separated in vacuo and dried [21].
4-(3-Methyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzoic acid (6a). White solid (91% yield); m.p.:
◦
126.3–128.3 C; the spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [27] 1H NMR
(
(
600 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.06–8.01 (m, 2H), 7.40–7.36 (m, 2H), 7.36–7.31 (m, 3H), 7.25–7.20
m, 2H), 6.34 (s, 1H), 3.49 (s, 1H), 2.41 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz CDCl3)
δ 170.56, 150.50,
144.12, 144.10, 130.96, 130.43, 128.73, 128.66, 128.56, 127.58, 124.29, 109.03, 13.53; MS [M+H]+
m/z 279.17.
4-(3,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzoic acid (6e). White solid (90% yield); m.p.:
1
160.7–161.8 ◦C; the spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [28]: H NMR
(600 MHz, CDCl3) 8.19 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.59 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 6.05 (s, 1H), 2.39
(
d, J = 0.6 Hz, 3H), 2.33 (s, 3H); RMN 13C (151 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 170.33, 150.06, 143.94, 139.73,
131.15, 127.74; MS [M+H]+ m/z 217.10.
Methyl 4-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzoate (6h). Yellow solid (82% yield); m.p.:
188.0–191 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 12.80 (bs, 1H), 7.97 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.90
(d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.56 (s, 1H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ
166.48, 130.06, 128.42, 125.38, 125.09, 102.41, 52.47, 11.22; MS [M+H]+ m/z 217.10.
3.2.9. Pyrazole Derivatives (6b and 6f)
A solution of carboxylic acid (6a or 6e, 1.1 mmol) in 5 mL of a 5% methanolic solution of
H2SO4 was heated under reflux for 2 h. When the reaction was completed, the mixture was
neutralized with a 10% aqueous solution of NaHCO3. The resulting solid was separated
under vacuum filtration and dried.
Methyl 4-(3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzoate (6b). White solid (84% yield);
◦
1
m.p.: 100.2–101.6 C; H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
(m, 2H), 7.33–7.29 (m, 3H), 7.24–7.19 (m, 2H), 6.33 (s, 1H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 2.39 (s, 3H). 13
NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3) 166.38, 150.28, 143.95, 143.63, 130.51, 130.29, 128.67, 128.56,
128.41, 128.18, 124.19, 108.84, 52.14, 13.56; MS [M+H]+ m/z 293.19.
δ 7.97 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.37–7.33
C
δ
Methyl 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzoate (6f). White solid (73% yield); m.p.:
60.2–61.2 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) 8.12 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.55 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H),

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6.03 (s, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 2.37 (d, J = 0.6 Hz, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3)
166.38, 149.87, 143.61, 139.53, 130.52, 128.25, 123.54, 108.16, 52.19, 13.48, 12.78; MS [M+H]+
m/z 231.13.
3.2.10. 4-(3-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) Benzoic Acid (6g)
Methyl 4-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzoate 6h (250 mg, 1.1 mmol) was dissolved
in a 5 mL of a 60% aqueous solution of H2SO4 and heated under reflux for 2 h. After
completion, the reaction was poured into 10 mL of iced water. The resulting solid was
filtered in vacuo, washed with cold water and dried.
4-(3-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (6g). Yellow solid (95% yield); m.p.: 285–286 ◦C
;
1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
(
δ
7.96 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.88 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 6.55
d, J = 0.7 Hz, 1H), 2.29–2.26 (m, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 167.55, 148.45,
141.87, 137.76, 130.20, 129.65, 125.27, 102.40, 11.40; MS [M+H]+ m/z 203.13.
3.2.11. 4-(3-Methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) Benzoic Acid (6c)
5-Methyl-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one (1.0 g, 5.74 mmol) was dissolved in
POCl3 (1.5 mL) and heated under reflux for 5 h. The mixture was cooled on an ice bath and
quenched with 10 mL of water. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 10 mL),
the combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated in vacuo. The
resulting oily product (200 mg, 1.0 mmol) was mixed with 4-carbomethoxyphenylboronic
acid pinacol ester (300 mg, 1.1 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (116 mg, 0.1 mmol), Na2CO3 (424 mg,
4 mmol) and 5 mL of MeCN/H2O (4:1). The reaction was heated under microwave
◦
irradiation at 175 C for 20 min twice. Then, the solvent was removed in vacuo. The
resulting crude product was purified by column chromatography using hexane/ethyl
acetate (80:20).
4-(3-Methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (6c). Pale brown solid (55% yield);
m.p.: 221.0–223.3 ◦C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
8.05–7.97 (m, 2H), 7.37–7.32 (m, 2H),
7.32–7.28 (m, 3H), 7.27 (dd, J = 8.4, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 6.41 (s, 1H), 2.41 (s, 3H).; 13C NMR
(151 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 170.85, 149.72, 142.48, 139.73, 135.69, 130.23, 129.04, 128.77, 128.47,
127.56, 125.24, 108.41, 13.46; MS [M+H]+ m/z 279.17.
3.2.12. Methyl 4-(3-Methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) Benzoate (6d)
A mixture of 4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzoic acid 6c (200 mg, 0.7 mmol
)
and Na2CO3 (75 mg, 0.7 mmol), DMF (2 mL) and water (0.5 mL) was stirred for 15 min at
room temperature. Afterward, methyl iodide (0.7 mmol) was added to the mixture and
stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Then, the reaction was poured into water (10 mL
)
and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 5 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over
×
Na2SO4 and concentrated under vacuum. The crude product was purified by recrystalliza-
tion from ethanol.
Methyl 4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzoate (6d). White solid (82% yield);
◦
1
92.0–94.3 C; the spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [29] H NMR
(
600 MHz, CDCl3) 7.95 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.36–7.31 (m, 2H), 7.31–7.23 (m, 5H), 6.39 (s, 1H),
3.91 (s, 3H), 2.39 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3) 166.57, 149.64, 142.54, 139.87, 135.02,
129.63, 129.47, 128.99, 128.40, 127.42, 125.17, 108.28, 52.18, 13.52; MS [M+H]+ m/z 293.15.
3.2.13. Synthesis of 3-Phenyl-1H-Indazoles (10a, 10b, and 10d–i)
A mixture of 3-bromo-1H-indazole (200 mg, 1.01 mmol), phenylboronic acid or appro-
priate aryl boronic acid pinacol ester (1.11 mmol), Na2CO3 (128 mg, 1.21 mmol), PPh3 (8 mg,
0.03 mmol), Pd(OAc)2 (2.2 mg, 0.01 m◦mol) and 5 mL of n-propanol/H2O (3:1) was heated
under microwave irradiation at 150 C for 20 min. The solvent was removed in vacuo
and the resulting residue was purified by column chromatography using hexane/ethyl
acetate (50:50).
3-Phenyl-1H-indazole (10a). The product was purified using column chromatogra-
phy and hexane/ethyl acetate (80:20) as mobile phase. White solid (80% yield). m.p.:

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105.2–106.8 ◦C [lit. [30]: 106–107 ◦C]; the spectroscopic data matched previously reported
1
data [31
(
,
32]: H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
11.44 (bs, 1H), 8.05–7.99 (m, 3H), 7.56–7.51
m, 2H), 7.47–7.42 (m, 1H), 7.37–7.33 (m, 1H), 7.29–7.25 (m, 1H), 7.23–7.19 (m, 1H); 13C
NMR (151 MHz, CDCl3) 145.74, 141.68, 133.56, 128.92, 128.16, 127.71, 126.77, 121.33,
δ
121.08, 120.95, 110.21; Purity (qNMR, % w/w): 98.89 ± 2.29.
◦
4-(1H-Indazol-3-yl)benzoic acid (10b). White solid (82% yield); m.p.: 283.5–286 C; the
1
spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [32]: H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ
13.52 (bs, 1H), 13.05 (bs, 1H), 8.19–8.14 (m, 3H), 8.12–8.08 (m, 2H), 7.64 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H),
7.48–7.42 (m, 1H), 7.26 (ddd, J = 7.8, 6.8, 0.8 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ
172.33, 148.26, 147.20, 146.82, 143.12, 135.17, 134.68, 131.70, 131.48, 126.67, 125.81, 125.76,
125.28, 116.01; Purity (qNMR, % w/w): 96.48 ± 0.42.
4-(1H-Indazol-3-yl)benzamide (10d). Pale brown solid (45% yield); m.p.: 253.0–255.5 ◦C
;
1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
8.04 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.63 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.49–7.41 (m, 2H), 7.25 (ddd, J = 7.9,
δ 13.43 (s, 1H), 8.14 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 8.12–8.09 (m, 3H),
6.9, 0.7 Hz, 1H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 168.04, 142.74, 142.03, 136.86, 133.54,
128.59, 126.71, 126.68, 121.80, 121.08, 120.52, 111.16; MS [M+H]+ m/z 238.14; Purity (qNMR,
% w/w): 95.23±0.71.
4-(1H-Indazol-3-yl)-N-methylbenzamide (10e). White solid (34% yield); m.p.: 239.5–
◦
1
241.0 C; H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
(d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.62 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H),
7.47–7.41 (m, 1H), 7.28–7.22 (m, 1H), 3.38 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (151 MHz DMSO-d6)
166.17,
δ 13.41 (s, 1H), 8.55 (d, J = 4.5 Hz, 1H), 8.14
δ
142.17, 141.47, 136.12, 133.22, 127.59, 126.22, 126.13, 121.23, 120.54, 119.96, 110.60, 26.19; MS
[M+H]+ m/z 252.17; Purity (qNMR, % w/w): 96.59 ± 0.80.
4-(1H-Indazol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethylbenzamide (10f). White solid (48% yield); m.p.:
1
160.5–163.0 ◦C; the spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [12]: H NMR
(600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 13.38 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.62
(d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.46–7.40 (m, 1H), 7.24 (ddd, J = 7.9, 6.8, 0.8 Hz
,
1H), 3.01 (d, J = 16.2 Hz, 6H); 13C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 169.76, 142.30, 141.47,
135.30, 134.58, 127.60, 126.27, 126.12, 121.16, 120.47, 119.92, 110.60, 34.71; MS [M+H]+ m/z:
266.20; Purity (qNMR, % w/w): 97.56 ± 1.07.
N,N-Diethyl-4-(1H-indazol-3-yl)benzamide (10g). White solid (53% yield); m.p.: 259.3–
◦
1
261.5 C; H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 13.37 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 8.07
(d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.62 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.46–7.40 (m, 1H),
7.27–7.21 (m, 1H), 3.46 (s, 2H), 3.27 (s, 2H), 1.16 (bs,3H), 1.10 (bs, 3H); 13C NMR (151
MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 169.62, 142.31, 141.47, 136.17, 134.25, 126.71, 126.42, 126.11, 121.14,
120.47, 119.90, 110.59, 42.78, 13.98, 12.74; MS [M+H]+ m/z 294.23; Purity (qNMR, % w/w):
96.68 ± 0.33.
(4-(1H-Indazol-3-yl)phenyl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone (10h). White solid (21% yield);
◦
m.p.: 201.0–202.3 C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 13.39 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H),
8.07 (dd, J = 6.6, 1.8 Hz, 2H), 7.70–7.66 (m, 2H), 7.62 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.46–7.40 (m, 1H),
7.24 (ddd, J = 7.9, 6.9, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 3.52–3.46 (m, 4H), 1.91–1.81 (m, 4H); 13C NMR (151 MHz
DMSO-d6)
δ 167.79, 142.28, 141.47, 135.97, 135.04, 134.91, 127.70, 126.17, 126.11, 121.18,
120.46, 119.93, 110.60, 48.88, 45.91, 25.93, 23.82; MS [M+H]+ m/z 292.20; Purity (qNMR,
% w/w): 99.12 ± 1.25.
(4-(1H-indaz◦ol-3-yl)phenyl)(piperidin-1-yl)methanone (10i). White solid (42% yield);
δ 13.38 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H),
m.p.: 193.5–195.5 C; 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)
8.07 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.62 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.46–7.39 (m, 1H),
7.27–7.20 (m, 1H), 3.61 (bs, 2H), 3.36 (bs, 2H), 1.65–14.5 (m, 6H); 13C NMR (151 MHz,
DMSO-d6)
δ 169.08, 142.84, 142.00, 135.86, 135.06, 127.83, 126.94, 126.66, 121.69, 121.01,
120.45, 111.13, 48.56, 42.84, 26.47, 25.74, 24.51; MS [M+H]+ m/z 306.23; Purity (qNMR,
% w/w): 97.32 ± 0.62.

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3.2.14. Methyl 4-(1H-Indazol-3-yl) Benzoate (10c)
Employing the esterification method 3.2.9. described above, compound 10c was
synthesized from acid derivative 10b.
Methyl 4-(1H-indazol-3-yl)benzoate (10c). Yellow solid (94% yield); m.p.: 205.5–208.0 ◦C
;
)
the spectroscopic data matched previously reported data [16]: 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6
13.52 (s, 1H), 8.19 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.16 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.64
(d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (dd, J = 11.3, 3.8 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (dd, J = 11.2, 3.9 Hz, 1H), 3.90 (s, 3H);
13C NMR (151 MHz DMSO-d6)
165.95, 141.78, 141.53, 138.24, 129.73, 128.20, 126.54, 126.24,
δ
δ
121.46, 120.47, 120.00, 110.74, 52.07; Purity (qNMR, % w/w): 96.76 ± 1.06.
3.3. Anticandidal Activity Assays
3.3.1. Agar Diffusion Method
Susceptibility assays were carried out using the cylinder-plate method (agar diffusion
method) described in the general methods of analysis MGA 0100 of the Mexican Phar-
macopeia [23]. Candida strains from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) were
used: Candida albicans (18,804), Candida glabrata (90,030, susceptible to miconazole), Candida
glabrata (32,554, resistant to miconazole), and Candida tropicalis (750). Compounds tested,
fluconazole and miconazole were properly weighed and solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide
(DMSO) at 100%. The microorganisms were grown and maintained on Sabouraud dextrose
◦
broth (SB, Bioxon, Mexico) for 24 h at 35
dishes (100
±
2 C. A base layer was prepared into Petri
×
20 mm) employing 10 mL of a mixture of agar SB with Candida suspension
adjusted to 0.5 McFarland standard. After solidification, a second layer was formed by
the addition of 10 mL of agar SB. In each plate, five stainless steel cylinders of uniform
size (8
×
6
×
10 mm) were placed on the surface and filled with 100 µL of a solution of the
compounds at 10, 1 and 0.1 mM. Fluconazole (1 mM) and miconazole (1 mM) were used as
positive controls, and vehicle as a negative control. The plates were incubated at 35
for 24 h. The degree of effectiveness was measured by determining the zone of inhibition
in millimeters produced by the tested compounds and considering the effect produced
by DMSO.
◦
±
2 C
3.3.2. Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the Most
Effective Compounds
Minimum inhibitory concentration is defined as the lowest concentration of com-
pounds against Candida strains that inhibit their growth after 24 h of incubation. The
3-phenyl-1H-indazole derivatives, which showed antimicrobial activity at the least concen-
tration tested (100 µM), were evaluated against Candida albicans (18,804), Candida glabrata
(90,030, susceptible to miconazole), Candida glabrata (32,554, resistant to miconazole). The
cylinder-plate method and different concentrations of tested compounds (50, 75, 100, 125,
150, and 200 µM) were used for the assay. Fluconazole and miconazole were used as
positive controls and vehicle (DMSO) as negative control. Experiments were carried out in
duplicate and repeated three times.
3.4. Cytotoxicity Assays
HeLa (human cervix), K562 (human chronic myelogenous leukemia), and SW620
(human colon) cells were grown in DMEM (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, CA, USA)
supplemented with 10% FBS (BioWest, Riverside, MO, USA) and maintained in standard
◦
culture conditions (37 C, 95% humidity, and 5% CO2). Cells were grown to a density
of 80% and then were harvested using sterile PBS/EDTA (pH 7.4) before starting every
experiment. Cells were seeded in 96-well plates (7000 cells/well in 200
After 24 h the cells were exposed to test compounds dissolved in 0.5 % DMSO and diluted
with DMEM at 50 M, to reach 250 L in the well. The exposure time was 48 h, and then
µL of DMEM).
µ
µ
viability was determined by MTT assay. The absorbance of formazan was determined for
each well and its viability was related to the vehicle (100%) [17].

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3.5. Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
The purity of compounds 10a–i was determined by qNMR using sodium 2,2-dimethyl-
2-silapentane-5-sulfonate (DSS, 97%, CIL) as an internal standard. The 4-bromobenzonitrile
(99%, Sigma-Aldrich) was used for the validation of the method. As solvent deuterated
dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 (DMSO-d6, >99.96%, CIL) was used.
Samples were prepared as a mixture of compounds tested and DSS was dissolved in
DMSO-d6. The measurements were carried out with an Agilent DD2 spectrometer oper-
ating at 600 MHz. In general, the experiments were acquired employing the parameters:
90◦ pulse, an acquisition time of 7 s, relaxation delay of 60 s, digital resolution of 0.8 Hz, a
spectral window of 15 ppm, and a total of 64 scans. Phase and baseline corrections were
done automatically using the software MestReNova v.6.0.2. The signal integration was
done in automatic mode. For determination of purity were used separated signals (H-5,
H-6, or NH) in the aromatic region and three signals of DSS (CH2) in the aliphatic region.
The percentage of purity was calculated by Equation (1):
ISample
IStd
MSample
MStd
NStd
NSample
mStd
mSample
PSample
=
×
×
×
× PStd
(1)
where I is the integrated area, N is the number of spins, M is the molar mass, m is the
gravimetric weight, and P is the purity in % w/w [33,34].
4. Conclusions
In the present study, several indazole and pyrazole derivatives were designed and
synthesized by bioisosteric replacement, homologation, and molecular simplification.
Besides, a new series of derivatives was designed by combining the 3-phenyl-1H-indazole
moiety with carboxamide substituents. Taking the activity data from the series of the
3-phenyl-1H-indazole moiety, compounds 10c, 10g, and 10i had the best effect against C.
albicans. In comparison, 10f and 10g were active against both miconazole susceptible and
resistant C. glabrata strains. In particular, compound 10g was demonstrated to have the best
anticandidal activity against Candida strains tested. According to the data, the molecular
simplification along with p-carbonyl substituents was crucial for the anticandidal activity.
Therefore, the 3-phenyl-1H-indazole nucleus is a new scaffold for anticandidal agents that
has not been reported to date. In light of these results, new research could be conducted to
explore other substituents attached to the 3-phenyl group to generate more information
about the structural requirements needed to improve the anticandidal activity.
Supplementary Materials: The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8
247/14/3/176/s1, Figure S1: Determination of the inhibition zone for compound 2b tested at 10, 1,
1
and 0.1 mM against C. albicans, Figures S2–S41: H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of compounds 2a–e,
3a–r, 6a–h and 10a–i, Figures S42–S71: MS spectra of compounds 2d, 2e, 3e–r, 6a–h and 10d–i, Table
S1: Percentage of purity of compounds 10a–i by qNMR used an internal standard and Figure S72:
Spectra of qNMR for 4-bromobenzonitrile (purity > 99%) as a reference compound.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, K.R.-V., A.H.-C., L.Y.-M., T.d.R.S.-E., and J.P.-V.; funding
acquisition, O.S.-A. and J.P.-V.; investigation, K.R.-V., B.V.-P., E.A.Q.-S., and J.P.-V.; methodology,
K.R.-V., A.H.-C., L.Y.-M., T.d.R.S.-E., and J.P.-V.; project administration, O.S.-A. and J.P.-V.; resources,
O.S.-A., J.F.P.-E., and F.C.-B.; supervision, A.H.-C., L.Y.-M., T.d.R.S.-E., M.L.-L., and J.P.-V.; writing—
original draft, K.R.-V.; writing—review and editing, A.H.-C., L.Y.-M., O.S.-A., J.F.P.-E., F.C.-B., M.L.-L.,
and J.P.-V. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was funded by CONACyT (grants CB-2015-01-258554 and 1238).
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available in supplementary material
.

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Acknowledgments: K.R.-V. thanks CONACyT for the Ph.D. scholarship awarded 538233/291415
to study in the program of Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud at UAM. The authors
would like to express thanks to Ernesto Sánchez Mendoza, Mónica A. Rincón Guevara, and Miguel
Cortés Gines for the analytical support, and Pharmometrica research center for the support with
mass spectra determinations.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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