Design and Synthesis of Ionic Liquid‐Based Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors (MMPIs): A Simple Approach to Increase Hydrophilicity and to Develop MMPI‐Coated Gold Nanoparticles

Selective and potent matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP‐12) inhibitors endowed with improved hydrophilicity are highly sought for potential use in the treatment of lung and cardiovascular diseases. In the present paper, we modified the structure of a nanomolar MMP‐12 inhibitor by incorporating an ionic liquid (IL) moiety to improve aqueous solubility. Four biologically active salts were obtained by linking the sulfonamide moiety of the MMP‐12...