Synthesis and Evaluation of Cannabigerol Inspired Antimicrobial Compounds

Abstract

With rising rates of antimicrobial resistance, new antibiotics are being investigated to ensure effective treatment options exist, essential for public health. Cannabinoids are a class of prenylated phenolic natural products that have been shown to possess antibiotic potential against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).1, 2 Cannabigerol (CBG) a nonpsychotropic cannabinoid was explored as a promising lead for a new antibiotic candidate. CBG and over 40 analogues were synthesized in a medicinal chemistry manner to construct a structure activity relationship (SAR) study. An alumina-mediated phenol geranylation reaction was employed as a key step in the synthesis of analogues. Here we have identified novel CBG analogues with improved physiochemical properties and increased potency against MRSA.