Unlocking the potential of mandelic acid derivatives: chemical and biological applications – a comprehensive review

-form in the preparation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Beyond therapeutics, mandelic acid derivatives are important in catalysis, chiral separations, cosmetics, analytical chemistry, and materials science. They display a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme-inhibitory properties, often enhanced through incorporation into heterocycles, hybrid frameworks, and polymeric systems. This review consolidates advances in the synthesis of bioactive derivatives such as factor Xa inhibitors, anti-HIV agents, dual-action anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds, pyrazole-mandelic acid hybrids, thiazolidinone-based carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitors, oxadiazothioether antifungal agents, and plant pathogen virulence disruptors. It also highlights catalytic roles, separation technologies, and advanced material applications. Structure-activity relationship insights, emerging trends, and key challenges are discussed to guide the rational design of next-generation mandelic acid derivatives with enhanced chemical and biological potential.