Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of 2',3'-dideoxy-2',3'-difluoro-D-arabinofuranosyl 2,6-disubstituted purine nucleosides.

The synthesis of new 2,6-disubstituted purine 2',3'-dideoxy-2',3'-difluoro-D-arabino nucleosides is reported. Their ability to block HIV and HCV replication along with their cytotoxicity toward Huh-7 cells, human lymphocyte, CEM and Vero cells was also assessed. Among them, β-2,6-diaminopurine nucleoside and guanosine derivative demonstrate potent anti-HIV-1 activity (EC = 0.56 and 0.65 μM; EC = 4.2 and 3.1 μM) while displaying only moderate cytotoxicity in primary human lymphocytes.