Recent advances in the antimicrobial application of the pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffold: innovative synthetic strategies, structural diversification, and bioactivity evaluation

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical global health challenge, necessitating urgent development of novel antimicrobial agents. Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives have garnered substantial research interest in pharmaceutical chemistry owing to their structural diversity, synthetic accessibility, and broad-spectrum bioactivity. This comprehensive review presents and discusses recent advancements in pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine research, focusing on methodological innovations in scaffold construction. Key synthetic strategies, including [3 + 2] cycloadditions, transition metal-catalyzed couplings, and microwave-assisted ring closure techniques, are highlighted. Additionally, a thorough discussion of their antimicrobial activities is presented, encompassing antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects. This review provides valuable insights into the rational design and synthesis of novel pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives. These contributions may facilitate the development of new antimicrobial agents to address evolving resistance.