Organosilicon influenza entry inhibitors published in J. Med. Virol.
May 28, 2025
Congratulations to Nik Hafeman, whose work appears in the Journal of Medical Virology: “Inhibition of Influenza Entry by Organosilicon Compounds,” J. Med. Virol. 2025, 97(6), e70436. DOI: 10.1002/jmv.70436
tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) was among the first small molecules shown to block influenza entry, but it oxidises readily in solution to the far less active quinone. This work replaces the tert-butyl group with trimethylsilyl, giving compounds that are both more stable in solution and more potent against viruses carrying Group 2 haemagglutinin. NMR shows the silicon-containing analogues occupy the same pocket, making stronger hydrophobic contacts within it.
Nik did this chemistry as an undergraduate at UIC. He went on to complete his PhD at Caltech with Brian Stoltz, and is now Senior Scientist II in Process Chemistry at AbbVie in North Chicago.
The study was carried out in collaboration with the research groups of Michael Caffrey and Lijun Rong at UIC, and Balaji Manicassamy at the University of Iowa.
tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) was among the first small molecules shown to block influenza entry, but it oxidises readily in solution to the far less active quinone. This work replaces the tert-butyl group with trimethylsilyl, giving compounds that are both more stable in solution and more potent against viruses carrying Group 2 haemagglutinin. NMR shows the silicon-containing analogues occupy the same pocket, making stronger hydrophobic contacts within it.
Nik did this chemistry as an undergraduate at UIC. He went on to complete his PhD at Caltech with Brian Stoltz, and is now Senior Scientist II in Process Chemistry at AbbVie in North Chicago.
The study was carried out in collaboration with the research groups of Michael Caffrey and Lijun Rong at UIC, and Balaji Manicassamy at the University of Iowa.