In this study, two
adamantane-linked isothiourea derivatives containing
a common 4-chlorophenyl substituent coupled with 4-nitrobenzyl or
4-bromobenzyl moieties were synthesized. Both derivatives were characterized,
in the solid state and in solution, through a synergistic combination
of experimental and in silico techniques, and the results are of great
value for the chemical and structural characterization of related
compounds. The crystal structures of both derivatives were analyzed
in depth, including Hirshfeld surface analysis and lattice energy
calculations, revealing a predominant dispersive component of the
total energy that stabilizes crystal packing. Both compounds showed
potent broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and moderate activity
against the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. In addition, in vitro anti-proliferative activity assays showed
that the 4-bromobenzyl analogue displays higher activity than the
4-nitrobenzyl one, with IC50 values under 30 μM against
five human cancer cell lines. Our results give evidence of the potential
of the adamantane/isothiourea combination to render auspicious scaffolds
for new potential chemotherapeutic agents.