Synthesis of 5-alkynylated d4T analogues as potential HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

A series of 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides substituted with an alkynylhydroxy- (6, 7, 12 and 13) and alkynylamino- (20) groups at the C-5 position were synthesized. All these five target modified nucleosides were tested for anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activity in CEM-SS and MT-4 cells and unfortunately displayed no improvement in antiviral activity.

Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of [d4U]-[trovirdine analogue] and [d4T]-[trovirdine analogue] heterodimers as inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

A series of eleven heterodimers containing both a nucleoside analogue (d4U, d4T) and a non-nucleoside type inhibitor (Trovirdine analogue) were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit HIV replication. Unfortunately, the (N-3)d4U-Trovirdine conjugates (9a-e) and (N-3)d4T-Trovirdine conjugates (10a-f) were found to be inactive suggesting that the two individual inhibitor compounds do not bind simultaneously in their respective sites.

Synthesis of 5-alkenylated D4T analogues via the Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction.

The target compounds 5-[N-(6-amino-hexyl)-acrylamide]-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-uridine (12) and 5-[N-[5-(methoxycarbonyl)-pentyl]-acrylamide]-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'- dideoxy-uridine (15) were prepared by the palladium acetate-triphenylphosphine-catalyzed reaction of the 5'-O-acetyl-5-iodo-d4T analogue (3). These compounds 12 and 15 can be used to prepare nucleotide probes carrying fluorescent labels and were nevertheless screened for their anti-HIV activity. The biological data demonstrated that none of them were active against HIV-1.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of C-5 substituted beta-D- and beta-L-D4T analogues.

A series of beta-D-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-nucleosides bearing a tether attached at the C-5 position and their beta-L-counterparts was synthesized. Their inhibitory activities against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were investigated and compared to establish relationship(s) between compound structure and their antiviral activity. No significant activity was observed for beta-D- and beta-L-modified nucleosides respectively 7a-c and 14a-c, but 7d and 14d exhibited a weak activity against HIV-1.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of C-5 substituted analogues of d4T bearing methylamino- or methyldiamino-linker arms.

A general strategy is reported for the preparation of C-5-methylamino- or methyldiamino-d4T analogues of "different sizes". Reactions of the 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-C-5 hydroxymethyl precursor (7) with either polymethylene diamines (n = 6, 8, 10 and 12) or propargylamine proceed regioselectively via substitution reactions at the C-5 position of uracil. The compounds were evaluated for antiviral activity and cytotoxicity.