New indolylarylsulfones were prepared and evaluated as HIV-1 NNRTIs.
Against the NL4-3 HIV-1 WT strain, compounds 4–15 were superior to reference drugs NVP and EFV.
Several compounds inhibited the K103N HIV-1 mutant strain in the nanomolar range of concentration and were superior to EFV.
Against the Y181C and L100I HIV-1 mutant strains, some compounds were superior to EFV.
Enantiomer 24 was more potent than 25 against the whole viral panel.