Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of 4'-C-methyl-2'-fluoro arabino nucleosides.

As part of an ongoing program to develop novel antitumor agents over the years, we have synthesized and evaluated a number of 4'-C-substituted nucleosides. A few years ago, we reported the first synthesis of 4'-C-hydroxymethyl-2'-fluoro arabino nucleosides, which did not exhibit any cytotoxicity. In our exploration of related compounds, we synthesized and evaluated the 4'-C-methyl-2'-fluoro arabino nucleosides in both the purine and pyrimidine series.