Synthesis and anti-HIV activities of bis-(cycloSaligenyl) pronucleotides derivatives of 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine and 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine

Anti-HIV nucleoside monophosphates have limited cellular uptake due to the presence of negatively-charged phosphate group. Bis-(cycloSaligenyl) derivatives containing two anti-HIV nucleosides, 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine (FLT) and 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) were synthesized to increase intracellular delivery of nucleoside monophosphates. 2,5-Bis(hydroxymethylene)benzene-1,4-diol was selected as a monocyclic bidentate scaffold and synthesized by three different methods from bis(hydroxymethylene)cyclohexan-1,4-diene-1,4-diol, or diethyl 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate. The reaction of the tetraol with diisopropylphosphoramidous dichloride in the presence of 2,6-lutidine, followed by conjugation reactions with nucleosides (i.e., FLT and AZT) and oxidation afforded symmetrical and unsymmetrical bis-(cycloSaligenyl) diphosphate triester products, AZT-AZT, FLT-FLT, and FLT-AZT conjugates, in 63-74% overall yields and modest anti-HIV activities (IC₅₀ = 2.8-69.6 μM).     

Synthesis and anti-HIV activities of phosphate triester derivatives of 3′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine and 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine

Fatty acyl-glycol phosphate triester conjugates of 3′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (FLT) were prepared in three steps from the reaction of diisopropylphoramidous dichloride with fatty acyl-substituted glycols, followed by a coupling reaction with FLT and oxidation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH). Additionally, a number of fatty alcohols were reacted with diisopropylphoramidous dichloride to produce the phosphitylating intermediates, which underwent coupling reactions with 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (AZT) and FLT followed by oxidation with t-BuOOH to yield fatty alcohol phosphate triester derivatives of AZT and FLT.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 5′-O-dicarboxylic fatty acyl monoester derivatives of anti-HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

A number of 5′-O-dicarboxylic fatty acyl monoester derivatives of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (zidovudine, AZT), 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (stavudine, d4T), and 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine (alovudine, FLT) were synthesized to improve the lipophilicity and potentially the cellular delivery of parent polar 2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside (ddN) analogs. The compounds were evaluated for their anti-HIV activity. Three different fatty acids with varying chain length of suberic acid (octanedioic acid), sebacic acid (decanedioic acid), and dodecanedioic acid were used for the conjugation with the nucleosides. The compounds were evaluated for anti-HIV activity and cytotoxicity. All dicarboxylic ester conjugates of nucleosides exhibited significantly higher anti-HIV activity than that of the corresponding parent nucleoside analogs. Among all the tested conjugates, 5′-O-suberate derivative of AZT (EC₅₀ = 0.10 nM) was found to be the most potent compound and showed 80-fold higher anti-HIV activity than AZT without any significant toxicity (TC₅₀ >500 nM).     

3′-Selective modification of a 4′,5′-didehydro-5′-deoxy-2′,3′-epoxyuridine using nucleophiles

1-(2,3-Anhydro-5-deoxy-4,5-didehydro-α-l-erythro-pent-4-enofuranosyl)uracil 4 was obtained by the treatment of 5′-iodo-2′,3′-epoxyuridine 5 with LiHMDS in excellent yield. The pyrimidine nucleoside 4 possesses quite unique vinyl epoxide moiety within the molecules. The reactions of 4 with a variety of nucleophiles gave 3′-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides without the formation of the corresponding 2′-substituted isomers. In the case of NaN₃ or PhSH, the corresponding 5′-adduct was obtained as a minor product together with the expected 3′-adduct.     

On the design of polymeric 5′-O-ester prodrugs of 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (AZT)

A new 5′-O-AZT prodrug was synthesized by conjugating 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (AZT) with poly(oxyethylene H-phosphonate) at room temperature under Atherton-Todd reaction conditions. The acute toxicity of poly(5′-O-AZT-oxyethylene phosphate) was reduced significantly in comparison with non-immobilized AZT.     

5′-Epimeric 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydronucleoside-5′-C-phosphonates: synthesis and structural assignment by NMR and X-ray analyses

Epimeric 5′-(RS) dialkyl 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydro-5′-C-phosphonates were prepared by nucleophilic addition of various dialkyl phosphites to 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydronucleoside-5′-aldehydes. Whereas direct NMR configuration assignment for the C5′ atom bearing the phosphoryl and hydroxy groups using the J (P,H4′) and J (H5′,H4′) coupling constants is impossible due to the absence of the H4′ atom, successful separation, crystallisation and X-ray crystallographic analysis of a pair of epimeric 5′-C-phosphonates, followed by correlation with a series of NMR parameters, led to efficacious configuration assignment of individual epimers in the mixtures.     

Straightforward synthesis of 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydronucleoside-5′-aldehydes via 2′,3′-O-orthoester group elimination: a simple route to 3′,4′-didehydronucleosides

Straightforward, high-yielding syntheses of 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydronucleoside-5′-aldehydes and 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydronucleosides starting from 2′,3′-O-orthoester derivatives of ribonucleosides are described.     

Concise and efficient synthesis of 3′-O-triphosphates of 2′-deoxyadenosine and 2′-deoxycytidine

We describe concise and efficient synthesis of 2′-deoxyadenosine-3′-O-triphosphate (2′-d-3′-ATP) and 2′-deoxycytidine-3′-O-triphosphate (2′-d-3′-CTP) which are well known for their various biological applications. One-pot synthetic methodology was used to convert N⁶-Benzoyl-5′-O-levulinoyl-2′-deoxyadenosine into N⁶-Benzoyl-5′-O-levulinoyl-2′-deoxyadenosine-3′-O-triphosphate in 72% yield. One-step concurrent deprotection of N⁶-Benzoyl and 5′-O-levulinoyl groups using concentrated aqueous ammonia resulted in 2′-d-3′-ATP in 75% yield. The same synthetic strategy was successfully employed to convert N⁴-Benzoyl-5′-O-levulinoyl-2′-deoxycytidine into 2′-d-3′-CTP in 66% yield.     

Practical synthesis of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorodithioate

Adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorodithioate (cAMPS₂), which has two exocyclic sulfurs directly attached to phosphorus, was synthesized from adenosine phosphoramidite by intramolecular cyclization employing the phosphotriester method as a key step.     

Highly efficient synthesis of 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-nucleosides through a sulfur-mediated reductive 2′,3′-trans-elimination. From iodomethylcyclopropanes to thiirane analogs

Taking into account the thiophilic properties of iodine, a very simple methodology to achieve 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-nucleosides in high yield was performed, using mild, and inexpensive conditions, by means of the treatment of 2′-deoxy-3′,5′-dibenzoyl-2′-iodo-β-nucleoside derivatives with NaHS. The process has shown to be highly dependent of the relative geometry between the iodine atom and the adjacent leaving group. In this way, different essays carried out with pyranose derivatives have concluded in no reaction when the vicinal groups to eliminate do not adopt a trans-diaxial disposition. In addition, the treatment of 2-iodomethyl-cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester under the same conditions softly and readily leads to the obtention of a mixture of the expected 2-allyl-malonic acid diethyl ester (as the minor product) and the thiirane derivative 2-thiiranylmethyl-malonic acid diethyl ester (as the major product). In this case, the responsible of the reaction progress are the nucleophilic properties of the sulfur atom rather than the thiophilic character of the iodine atom.     

2′,3′,4′,5′-Tetraacetyl-N(3)-carboxymethylriboflavin derivatives: synthesis and fluorescence studies

The hitherto not described 2′,3′,4′,5′-tetraacetyl-N(3)-carboxymethylriboflavin (1) could be prepared starting from 2′,3′,4′,5′-tetraacetylriboflavin by alkylation with tert-butyl α-bromoacetate and benzyl α-bromoacetate, followed by deprotection reaction. The results of fluorescence studies are described.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of 1-alkyl-2,4,6-trioxoperhydropyrimidine-5-spiro-3′-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroquinolines)

Knoevenagel products formed by the condensation of N-monoalkyl barbituric acids with o-tert-amino benzaldehydes undergo tert-amino effect reactions (T-reactions) yielding 1-alkyl-2,4,6-trioxoperhydropyrimidine-5-spiro-3′-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydroquinoline) derivatives as a mixture of (S^∗,S^∗)- and (S^∗,R^∗)-diastereomers. Mostly, the major diastereomer has the S^∗,S^∗-configuration. According to X-ray diffraction data in the solid form and NOE data in solution, diastereoselectivity of the T-reactions can be associated with the structure of the Knoevenagel products whose conformation is fixed by the strong intramolecular C-H?π interaction.     

Synthesis of a series of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-6′,6′-difluoro-3′-thionucleosides

A series of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-6′,6′-difluoro-3′-thionucleosides 1a-d, analogues of 3TC that has high biological activities against HIV and HBV, have been synthesized from the gem-difluorohomoallyl amine 7 in a straightforward fashion. Our synthesis featured the construction of thiofuranose skeleton through ring closure of key intermediates and installation of pyrimidine ring with amino group in compounds 13a,b.     

Synthesis of a novel bridged nucleoside bearing a fused-azetidine ring, 3′-amino-3′,4′-BNA monomer

A novel bridged nucleic acid monomer, 3′-amino-3′-deoxy-5-methyl-3′-N,4′-C-methyleneuridine, was successfully synthesized via a useful and convenient azetidine ring formation under Staudinger's conditions. A ¹H NMR experiment and a PM3 calculation revealed that the sugar moiety of the novel bridged nucleic acid monomer, 3′-amino-3′,4′-BNA, was restricted to S-type conformation.     

Synthesis of cyclic bis(3′-5′)diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP) analogs

This paper reports the synthesis of cyclic bis(3′-5′)diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP) analogs, including the monophosphorothioic acid of c-di-GMP (c-GpGps), cyclic bis(3′-5′)guanylic/adenylic acid (c-GpAp), and cyclic bis(3′-5′)guanylic/inosinic acid (c-GpIp). These compounds are expected to be important, both in elucidating the mechanism of bioactive c-di-GMP and in designing and creating new bioactive c-di-GMP-related artificial derivatives.     

Novel and efficient regioselective enzymatic approach to 3′-, 5′- and 3′,5′-di-O-crotonyl 2′-deoxynucleoside derivatives

Regioselective syntheses of several O-crotonyl 2′-deoxynucleoside derivatives have been efficiently achieved using a biocatalytic methodology. While Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) afforded the 5′-O-acylated compounds, immobilized lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia (PSL-C) provided the 3′-O-crotonylated analogs. Since classical chemical approaches did not work appropriately due to side isomerization reactions, a mixture of both lipases was used to achieve a useful synthetic route toward diacylated nucleosides.     

Syntheses and structure-activity relationships of novel 3′-difluoromethyl and 3′-trifluoromethyl-taxoids

A series of novel 3′-difluoromethyl-taxoids and 3′-trifluoromethyl-taxoids with modifications at the C2 and C10 positions were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicities against human breast carcinoma (MCF7-S, MCF7-R, LCC6-WT, LCC6-MDR), non-small cell lung carcinoma (H460) and colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines. These second-generation fluoro-taxoids exhibited several times to more than 20 times better potency than paclitaxel against drug-sensitive cancer cell lines, MCF7-S, LCC6-WT, H460, and HT-29. These fluoro-taxoids also possess two orders of magnitude higher potency than paclitaxel against drug-resistant cancer cell lines, MCF7-R and LCC6-MDR. Structure-activity relationship study shows the importance of the C10 modification for increasing the activity against multidrug-resistant cancer cell lines. Effects of the C2-benzoate modifications on the potency in the 3′-difluoromethyl-taxoid series are very clear (i.e., F < MeO < Cl < N₃), while those in the 3′-trifluoromethyl-taxoid series are less obvious. Also, different trends in the sensitivity to the C2-substitution are observed between drug-sensitive cell lines and drug-resistant cancer cell lines that overexpress efflux pumps.     

A general and efficient route to 3′-deoxy-3′-N-, S-, and C-substituted altropyranosyl thymines from 2′,3′-O-anhydro-mannopyranosylthymine

An efficient route to 1-(2,3-O-anhydro-4,6-O-phenylmethylene-β-d-mannopyranosyl) thymine from 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-3-O-tosyl-β-d-glucopyranose has been devised. This newly synthesized epoxide is opened up regioselectively at the C-3′-position by N-, S-, and C-nucleophiles to afford a wide range of new 3′-deoxy-3′-substituted altropyranosyl thymines.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (2S,3′R,7′Z)-N-(3′-hydroxy-7′-tetradecenoyl)-homoserine lactone

A concise enantioselective total synthesis of (2S,3′R,7′Z)-N-(3′-hydroxy-7′-tetradecenoyl)-homoserine lactone is described. Key feature of this protocol is a catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation and a prophenol-zinc-catalyzed diazo addition to imine reaction as genesis of chirality. Moreover, flexibility is built in the synthesis to generate enantioenriched analogs using catalytic amount of enantioenriched C₂-symmetric ligands.     

New N-acyl, N-alkyl, and N-bridged derivatives of rac-6,6′,7,7′-tetramethoxy-1,1′,2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-octahydro-1,1′-bisisoquinoline

The preparation of potential new ligand systems based on the rac-1,1′,2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-octahydro-6,6′,7,7′-tetramethoxy-1,1′-bisisoquinoline skeleton has been investigated. Syntheses of N-(2-bromobenzyl), N-(3-acetoxybenzyl), N-acetyl, N-chloroacetyl, N-chlorocarbonyl, N-ethoxycarbonyl and N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl derivatives and five macrocyclic, polyether containing derivatives are described.