The Versatility of Silicon Derivatives in the Discovery of New Drugs

Medicinal chemists use different strategies for the development of a new drug, and the use of bioisosterism is an adopted method.In it, atoms, groups or structural subunits that have similar physical or chemical properties, are exchanged and used when it is desired to reduce toxicity, modify bioavailability, or the activity of a leading compound in the search for new drugs.Silicon presents an opportunity for bioisosterism with carbon, allowing after its incorporation into structural frameworks, bringing benefits to its peers, such as, for example, the increase in lipophilicity.In this perspective, the present review highlights the versatility and opportunities of incorporating silicon in the discovery of new drugs in the last 10 years, aiming at activities against infectious diseases caused, especially, by viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa.In addition to derivatives and their activities, synthetic strategies for obtaining them were also presented.Noting, therefore, the versatility of these derivatives in the face of the most diverse infections.