Syntheses and Reactions of 1′,2′-Unsaturated 2′,3′-Seconucleoside Analogues

The 1′,2′-unsaturated 2′,3′-secoadenosine and 2′,3′-secouridine analogues were synthesized by the regioselective elimination of the corresponding 2′,3′-ditosylates, 2 and 18 , respectively, under basic conditions. The observed regioselectivity may be explained by the higher acidity and, hence, preferential elimination of the anomeric H–C(1′) in comparison to H? C(4′). The retained (tol-4-yl)sulfonyloxy group at C(3′) of 3 allowed the preparation of the 3′-azido, 3′-chloro, and 3′-hydroxy derivatives 5–7 by nucleophilic substitution. ZnBr₂ in dry CH₂Cl₂ was found to be successful in the removal (85%) of the trityl group without any cleavage of the acid-sensitive, ketene-derived N,O-ketal function. In the uridine series, base-promoted regioselective elimination (→ 19 ), nucleophilic displacement of the tosyl group by azide (→ 20 ), and debenzylation of the protected N(3)-imide function gave 1′,2′-unsaturated 5′-O-trityl-3′-azido-secouridine derivative 21 . The same compound was also obtained by the elimination performed on 2,2′-anhydro-3′-azido-3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5′-O-2′,3′-secouridine ( 22 ) that reacted with KO(t-Bu) under opening of the oxazole ring and double-bond formation at C(1′).     

Synthesis of 5-Methyluridine and Its 5′-Mercapto-, 2-Amino-, and 4′,5′-Unsaturated Analogues

The stereospecific cis-hydroxylation of 1-(2,3-dideoxy-β-D -glyceropent-2-enofuranosyl)thymine (1) into 1-β-D -ribofuranosylthymine (2) by osmium tetroxide is described. Treatment of 2′,3′-O, O-isopropylidene-5-methyl-2,5′-anhydrouridine (8) with hydrogen sulfide or methanolic ammonia afforded 5′-deoxy-2′,3′-O, O-isopropylidene-5′-mercapto-5-methyluridine (9) and 2′,3′-O, O-isopropylidene-5-methyl-isocytidine (10) , respectively. The action of ethanolic potassium hydroxide on 5′-deoxy-5′-iodo-2′,3′-O, O-isopropylidene-5-methyluridine (7) gave rise to the corresponding 1-(5-deoxy-β-D -erythropent-4-enofuranosyl)5-methyluracil (13) and 2-O-ethyl-5-methyluridine (14) . The hydrogenation of 2 and its 2′,3′-O, O-isopropylidene derivative 4 over 5% Rh/Al₂O₃ as catalyst generated diastereoisomers of the corresponding 5-methyl-5,6-dihydrouridine ( 17 and 18 ).     

2′, 3′-Dideoxy-3′-fluorotubercidin and Related Dideoxyribonucleosides:. Synthesis via a 2′-deoxy-3′-oxoribofuranoside intermediate and conformation studies

An efficient synthesis of the unknown 2′-deoxy-D-threo-tubercidin ( 1b ) and 2′, 3′-dideoxy-3′-fluorotubercidin ( 2 ) as well as of the related nucleosides 9a, b and 10b is described. Reaction of 4-chloro-7-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine ( 5 ) with (tert-butyl)diphenylsilyl chloride yielded 6 which gave the 3′-keto nucleoside 7 upon oxidation at C(3′). Stereoselective NaBH₄ reduction (→ 8 ) followed by deprotection with Bu₄NF(→ 9a )and nucleophilic displacement at C(6) afforded 1b as well as 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-D-threo-inosine ( 9b ). Mesylation of 4-chloro-7-{2-deoxy-5-O-[(tert-butyl)diphenylsilyl]-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl}-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]-pyrimidine ( 8 ), treatment with Bu₄NF (→ 12a ) and 4-halogene displacement gave 2′, 3′-didehydro-2′, 3′-dideoxy-tubercidin ( 3 ) as well as 2′, 3′-didehydro-2′, 3′-dideoxy-7-deazainosne ( 12c ). On the other hand, 2′, 3′-dideoxy-3′-fluorotubercidin ( 2 ) resulted from 8 by treatment with diethylamino sulfurtrifluoride (→ 10a ), subsequent 5′-de-protection with Bu₄NF (→ 10b ), and Cl/NH₂ displacement. ¹H-NOE difference spectroscopy in combination with force-field calculations on the sugar-modified tubercidin derivatives 1b , 2 , and 3 revealed a transition of the sugar puckering from the ^3′T_2′ conformation for 1b via a planar furanose ring for 3 to the usual ^2′T_3′ conformation for 2.     

Synthesis of S-5-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridinemethyl and S-5- and S-6-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridinemethyl derivatives of 5′-deoxy-5′-thioadenosine

Reaction of 5-dimethylaminomethylpyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine methiodide or 5-dimethylaminomethylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one methiodide with 5′-deoxy-5′-S-thioacetyl-N⁶-formyl-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine in ethanolic sodium hydroxide solution, followed by deprotection of the resulting thioether in 80% formic acid, afforded 5′-deoxy-5′-(5-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridinemethylthio)adenosine or 5′-deoxy-5′-[5-(pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one)methylthio]adenosine, respectively. Similarly, the metiodide salt of the iso-gramine analog, 2-amino-6-dimethylaminomethylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one afforded 5′-deoxy-5′-[6-(2-aminopyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one)methylthio]adenosine.     

Nucleoside und Nucleotide. Teil 10. Synthese von Thymidylyl-(3′-5′) -thymidylyl-(3′-5′)-1-(2′-desoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-2(1 H)-pyridon

Nucleosides and Nucleotides. Part 10. Synthesis of Thymidylyl-(3′-5′)-thymidylyl-(3′-5′)-1-(2′-deoxy-β-D - ribofuranosyl)-2(1 H)-pyridone The synthesis of 5′-O-monomethoxytritylthymidylyl-(3′-5′)-thymidylyl-(3′-5′)-1-(2′-deoxy-β-D -ribofuranosyl)-2(1H)-pyridone ((MeOTr)T_dpT_dp∏_d, 5 ) and of thymidylyl-(3′-5′)-thymidylyl-(3′-5′)-1-(2′-deoxy-β-D -ribofuranosyl)-2(1 H)-pyridone (T_dpT_dp∏_d, 11 ) by condensing (MeOTr) T_dpT_d ( 3 ) and p∏_d(Ac) ( 4 ) in the presence of DCC in abs. pyridine is described. Condensation of (MeOTr) T_dpT_dp ( 6 ) with Π_d(Ac) ( 7 ) did not yield the desired product 5 because compound 6 formed the 3′-pyrophosphate. The removal of the acetyl- and p-methoxytrityl protecting group was effected by treatment with conc. ammonia solution at room temperature, and acetic acid/pyridine 7 : 3 at 100°, respectively. Enzymatic degradation of the trinucleoside diphosphate 11 with phosphodiesterase I and II yielded T_d, pT_d and p∏_d, T_dp and Π_d, respectively, in correct ratios.     

Selective N3- and 5′-O-Alkylation of 2′,3′-O-isopropylideneuridine with methyl iodide

The 2′,3′-O-isopropylideneuridine ( 1 ) reacts with MeI in the presence of an excess of NaH in THF giving 2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5′-O-methyluridine ( 2 ). Prolonged reaction time gives rise to 2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-3,5′-O-dimethyluridine ( 4 ). The use of an equimolar amount of base and alkylating agent results predominantly in methylation at N(3) (→ 3).     

Aziridination of the uracil 5,6-olefinic bond of 3-N-3′,5′-Di-O-tribenzoyl-5-vinyl-2′-deoxyuridine

Oxidation of N-aminophthalimide with lead tetra-acetate at -50° gives N-acetoxyaminophthalimide ( 3 ) which selectively aziridinates the 5,6-double bond present in 3-N-3′,5′-di-O-tribenzoyl-5-vinyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 1a ) to yield 2-[1′-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)]-7-(1-phthalimido)-4-N-3′,5′-di-O-tribenzoyl-6-vinyl-2,4,7-triazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-3,5-dione ( 5 ).     

Synthesis and Properties of 2′-Deoxy-1′,2′-seco-D-ribosyl (5′ → 3′)oligonucleotides (= 1′,2′-seco-DNA) containing adenine and thymine

Some 2′-deoxy-1′,2′-seco-D-ribosyl (5′→3′)oligonucleotides (= 1′,2′-seco-DNA), differing from natural DNA only by a bond scission between the centers C(1′) and C(2′), were synthesized and studied in order to compare their structure properties and pairing behavior with those of corresponding natural DNA and homo-DNA oligonucleotides (2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl oligonucleotides). Starting from (?)-D-tartaric acid, 2′-deoxy-1′,2′-secoadenosine derivative 9a and 1′,2′-secothymidine ( 9b ) were obtained in pure crystalline form. Using the phosphoramidite variant of the phosphite-triester method, a dinucleotide monophosphate 1′,2′-seco-d(T₂) was synthesized in solution, while oligonucleotides 1′,2′-seco-d[(AT)₆], 1′,2′-seco-d(A₁₀) and 1′,2′-seco-d(T₁₀) were prepared on solid phase with either automated or manual techniques. Results of UV- and CD-spectroscopic as well as gel-electrophoretic studies indicated that neither adenine-thymine base pairing (as observed in natural DNA and homo-DNA), nor the adenine-adenine base pairing (as observed in homo-DNA) was effective in 1′,2′-seco-DNA, Furthermore, hybrid pairing was observed neither between 1′.2′-seco-DNA and natural DNA nor between 1′,2′-seco-DNA and homo-DNA.     

Nucleotides,Part LXIII,New 2-(4-Nitrophenyl)ethyl(Npe)- and 2-(4-Nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl(Npeoc)-Protected 2′-Deoxyribonucleosides and Their 3′-Phosphoramidites – Versatile Building Blocks for Oligonucleotide Synthesis

A series of new base-protected and 5′-O-(4-monomethoxytrityl)- or 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-substituted 3′-(2-cyanoethyl diisopropylphosphoramidites) and 3′-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl diisopropylphosphoramidites] 52 – 66 and 67 – 82 , respectively, are prepared as potential building blocks for oligonucleotide synthesis (see Scheme). Thus, 3′,5′-di-O-acyl- and N ²,3′-O,5′-O-triacyl-2′-deoxyguanosines can easily be converted into the corresponding O⁶-alkyl derivatives 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 14 , and 16 by a Mitsunobu reaction using the appropriate alcohol. Mild hydrolysis removes the acyl groups from the sugar moiety (→ 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 , and 19 (via 18 ), resp.) which can then be tritylated (→ 38 – 42 ) and phosphitylated (→ 57 – 61 ) in the usual manner. N ²-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl]-substituted and N ²-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl]-O⁶-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]-substituted 2′-deoxyguanosines 5 and 7 , respectively, are synthesized as new starting materials for tritylation (→ 28 , 35 , and 37 ) and phosphitylation (→ 54 , 56 , 70 , and 78 ). Various O⁴-alkylthymidines (see 20 – 24 ) are also converted to their 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl derivatives (see 43 – 47) and the corresponding phosphoramidites (see 62 – 66 and 79 – 82 ).     

Regioselective Transformations of 2′,3′-Seconucleosides into Anhydro Structures and Chiral Crown Ethers

Intramolecular cyclisation of properly protected and activated derivatives of 2′,3′-secouridine ( = 1-{2-hydroxy-1-[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy]-ethyl}uracil; 1 ) provided access to the 2,2′-, 2,3′-, 2,5′-, 2′,5′-, 3′,5′-, and 2′,3′-anhydro-2′,3′-secouridines 5, 16, 17, 26, 28 , and 31 , respectively (Schemes 1–3). Reaction of 2′,5′-anhydro-3′-O-(methylsulfonyl)- ( 25 ) and 2′,3′-anhydro-5′-O-(methylsulfonyl)-2′,3′-secouridine ( 32 ) with CH₂CI₂ in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene generated the N(3)-methylene-bridged bis-uridine structure 37 and 36 , respectively (Scheme 3). Novel chiral 18-crown-6 ethers 40 and 44 , containing a hydroxymethyl and a uracil-1-yl or adenin-9-yl as the pendant groups in a 1,3-cis relationship, were synthesized from 5′-O-(triphenylmethyl)-2′,3′-secouridine ( 2 ) and 5′-O,N⁶-bis(triphenylmethyl)-2′,3′-secoadenosine ( 41 ) on reaction with 3,6,9-trioxaundecane-1,11-diyl bis(4-toluenesulfonate) and detritylation of the thus obtained (triphenylmethoxy) methylcompound 39 and 43 , respectively (Scheme 4).     

Synthesis of various 5-substituted 2′-deoxy-3′-5′-di-O-acetyluridines

The Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling reaction of β-5-iodo-2′-deoxy-3′,5′-di-O-acetyluridine with various heteroaryltrimethylstannyl compounds gave the corresponding β-5-heteroaryl-2′-deoxy-3′,5′-di-O-acetyluridines in moderate yields. This direct coupling approach for nucleosides represented an interesting alternative to the 5-heteroaryl functionalization of pyrimidines followed by the Hilbert-Johnson glycosylation reaction which often yields mixtures of the α and β anomers.     

Nucleosides and Nucleotides. Part 13. Synthesis and spectral properties of 1- (3′-O-Phosphoryl-2′-deoxy-β -D-ribofuranosyl)-2(1H)-pyridone-(3′-5′)-1-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-2 (1H)-pyridone

The dinucleoside phosphate Π_dpΠ_d ( 4 ) was synthesized from the monomers 1-(5′-O-monomethoxytrityl - 2′ - deoxy - β - D - ribofuranosyl) - 2 (1 H) - pyridone ((MeOTr) Π_d, 2 ) and 1-(5′-O-phosphoryl-3′-O-acetyl-2′-deoxy-β-D -ribofuranosyl)-(1H)-pyridone (pΠ_d(Ac), 3 ). Its 6.4% hyperchromicity and an analysis of the ¹H-NMR. spectra indicate that the conformation and the base-base interactions in 4 are similar to those in natural pyrimidine dinucleoside phosphates.     

Synthesis of Certain 5-Substituted 2′-Deoxytubercidin Derivatives

The synthesis of the 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-adenine derivatives 7b–3 with chloro, bromo, or methyl substituents at C(5) is described. Glycosylation of the 5-substituted 4-chloropyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines 4b–d with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-(4-toluoyl)-α-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride ( 3 ) gave the β-D -nucleosides 5b–d , exclusively. They were deblocked (→ 6b–d ) and converted into the tubercidin derivatives 7b–d .     

Synthesis and properties of 5-(1,2-dihaloethyl)-2′-deoxyuridines and related analogues

The regiospecific reaction of 5-vinyl-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 2 ) with HOX (X = Cl, Br, I) yielded the corresponding 5-(1-hydroxy-2-haloethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridines 3a-c . Alternatively, reaction of 2 with iodine monochloride in aqueous acetonitrile also afforded 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3c ). Treatment of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl)- ( 3a ) and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3b ) with DAST (Et₂NSF₃) in methylene chloride at -40° gave the respective 5-(1-fluoro-2-chloroethyl)- ( 6a , 74%) and 5-(1-fluoro-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6b , 65%). In contrast, 5-(1-fluoro-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6e ) could not be isolated due to its facile reaction with methanol, ethanol or water to yield the corresponding 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl)- ( 6c ), 5-(1-ethoxy-2-iodoethyl)- ( 6d ) and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3c ). Treatment of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl)- ( 3a ) and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3b ) with thionyl chloride yielded the respective 5-(1,2-dichloroethyl)- ( 6f , 85%) and 5-(1-chloro-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6g , 50%), whereas a similar reaction employing the 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)- compound 3c afforded 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6c ), possibly via the unstable 5-(1-chloro-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine intermediate 6h . The 5-(1-bromo-2-chloroethyl)- ( 6i ) and 5-(1,2-dibromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6j ) could not be isolated due to their facile conversion to the corresponding 5-(1-ethoxy-2-chloroethyl)- ( 6k ) and 5-(1-ethoxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 61 ). Reaction of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3b ) with methanolic ammonia, to remove the 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl groups, gave 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-furano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6(5H)-one ( 8 ). In contrast, a similar reaction of 5-(1-fluoro-2-chloroethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6a ) yielded (E)-5-(2-chlorovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridine ( 1b , 23%) and 5-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)furano[2,3-d]pyrimidin-6(5H)-one ( 9 , 13%). The mechanisms of the substitution and elimination reactions observed for these 5-(1,2-dihaloethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridines are described.     

Nucleotides. Part XXXIVSynthesis of Modified Oligomeric 2′–5′A Analogues: Potential Antiviral Agents

A series of new 2′–5′-oligonucleotide trimers carrying a 9-(2′,3′-anhydro-β-D -ribofuranosyl)-( 59 ), 9-(3′-deoxy-β-D -glycero-pent-3-enofuranosyl)-( 63 ), 9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D -xylofuranosyl)-( 62 ), and 9-(3′-halo-3′-deoxy-β-D -xylofuranosyl)adenine ( 60 and 61 ) moiety at the 2′-terminal end have been synthesized via the phosphotriester method. The properly protected, modified monomeric building blocks ( 6 , 9 , 16 , 19 , 27 , 33 , 36 , 37 , and 43 ) were obtained, in general, by a sequence of reactions, introducing the protecting groups into the right positions. Their condensations with the intermediary dimeric 2′-terminal phosphodiesters 48 and 49 led to the fully protected 2′–5′-trimers 50–58 which were deblocked to form the free 2′–5′-trimers 59 – 63 . Easy elimination of HBr on deprotection did not allow to form the trimeric (3′-bromo-3′-deoxy-β-D -xylofuranosyl)adenine analogue but only 63 carrying an unsaturated sugar moiety instead. The newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by UV and NMR spectra as well as by elemental analysis.     

Nucleotide. XV. Synthese und Eigenschaften von 2′-O-t-Butyldimethylsilyl-5′-O-monomethoxytritylribonucleosid-3′-phosphotriestern,Ausgangssubstanzen für Oligonucleotid-Synthesen

Nucleotides. XV. Synthesis and Properties of 2′O-t-Butyldimethylsilyl-5′-O-monomethoxytritylribonucleoside-3′-phosphotriesters, Starting Materials for Oligonucleotide Syntheses The syntheses of two types of fully blocked ribonucleoside 3′-phosphotriesters 6–14 have been achieved in excellent yields from 2′-O-t-butyldimethylsilyl-5′-O-monomethoxytrityl-ribonucleosides 1–5 by phosphorylation with 2-chloro- and 2,5-dichlorophenylphosphorodichloridate respectively and subsequent treatment by cyanoethanol to 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 and 14 and by p-nitrophenylethanol to 7 , 9 , 11 and 13 . These phosphotriesters are valuable starting materials for oligonucleotide syntheses due to the fact that the corresponding phosphotriesters 15–23 with free HO? C(5′) could be obtained by detritylation and the 3′-phosphodiester triethylammonium salts 24–32 by deblocking of the cyanoethyl and the 2,5-dichlorophenyl group respectively. All newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by UV.-and NMR.-spectra as well as C, H, N elementary analyses.     

Semisynthesis of 3′(2′)‐O‐(Aminoacyl)‐tRNA Derivatives as Ribosomal Substrate

An efficient synthesis of (3′‐terminally) 3′(2′)‐O‐aminoacylated pCpA derivatives is described, which could lead to the production of (aminoacyl)‐tRNAs following T4 RNA ligase mediated ligation. The tetrahydrofuranyl (thf) group was used as a permanent protective group for the 2′‐OH of the cytidine moiety which can be removed during the purification of the 3′(2′)‐O‐aminoacylated‐pCpA. This approach allowed for a general synthesis of (3′‐terminally) 3′(2′)‐O‐aminoacylated oligonucleotides. The fully protected pCpA 14 was synthesized by phosphoramidite chemistry and treated with NH₃ solution to remove the 2‐cyanoethyl and benzoyl groups (→ 15 ; Schemes 1 and 2). The 2′‐O‐thf‐protected‐pCpA 15 was coupled with α‐amino acid cyanomethyl esters, and the products 20a – c were deprotected and purified with AcOH buffer to afford 3′(2′)‐O‐aminoacylated pCpA 21a – c in high yields. The 3′(2′)‐O‐aminoacylated pCpA were efficiently ligated with tRNA(? CA) to yield (aminoacyl)‐tRNA which was an active substrate for the ribosome.     

Nucleotides Part LI. Synthesis and biological activities of (2′-5′)adenylate trimer conjugates with 2′-terminal 3′-O(ω-hydroxyalkyl) and 3′-O-(ω-carboxyalkyl) spacers

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of (2′-5′)adenylate trimer conjugates with 2′-terminal 3′-O-(ω-hydroxyalkyl) and 3′-O-(ω-carboxyalkyl) spacers is reported. Npeoc-protected adenosine building blocks 37--40 for phosphoramidite chemistry carrying a 3′-O-[11-(levulinoyloxy)undecyl], 3′-O-{2-[2-(levulinoyloxy)ethoxy]ethyl}, 3′-O-[5-(2-cyanoethoxycarbonyl)pentyl], and 3′-O-{5-[(9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]pentyl} moiety, respectively, were prepared (npeoc = 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl). Condensation with the cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine) dimer 1 led to the corresponding trimers 42, 43, 47 , and 48. Whereas the levulinoyl (lev) and 9H-fluoren-9-ylmethyl (fm) blocking groups could be cleaved off selectively from the trimers 42, 43 , and 48 yielding the intermediates 44, 45 , and 49 for the synthesis of the 3′-O-(ω-hydroxyalkyl)trimers 53, 54 and the cholesterol conjugates 59--61 , the 2-cyanoethyl (ce) protecting group of 47 , however, could not be removed in a similar manner from the carboxy function. Trimer 47 served as precursor for the preparation of the trimer 55 with a terminal 3′-O-(5-carboxypentyl)adenosine moiety. The metabolically stable 3′-O-alkyl-(2′--5′)A derivatives were tested regarding inhibition of HIV-1 syncytia formation and HIV-1 RT activity. Only the conjugate 59 showed significant effects, whereas the trimers 53--55 and the conjugates 60 and 61 were less potent inhibitors, even at 100-fold larger concentrations.     

Carotinoide mit 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl-Endgruppen. Teil I. Versuch einer Synthese von Cycloviolaxanthin (= (3S,5R,6R,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′-Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol)

Carotenoids with 7-Oxabicyclo[2,2.1]heptyl End Groups. Attempted Synthesis of Cycloviolaxanthin ( = (3S,5R,6S,3′S,5′R,6′R)-3,6:3′,6′- Diepoxy-5,6,5′,6′-tetrahydro-β,β-carotin-5,5′-diol) Starting from our recently described synthon (+)- 24 , the enantiomerically pure 3,6:4,5:3′,6′:4′,5′-tetraepoxy-4,5,4′,5′-tetrahydro-ε,ε-carotene ( 34 ) and its 15,15′-didehydro analogue 32 were synthesized in eleven and nine steps, respectively (Scheme 4). Chiroptical data show, in contrast to the parent ε,ε-carotene, a very weak interaction between the chiral centers at C(5), C(5′), C(6), C(6′), and the polyene system. Diisobutylaluminium hydride reduction of 32 lead rather than to the expected 15,15′-didehydro analogue 35 of Cycloviolaxanthin ( 8 ), to the polyenyne 36 (Scheme 5). We explain this reaction by an oxirane rearrangement leading to a cyclopropyl ether followed by a fragmentation to an aldehyd on the one side and an enol ether on the other (Scheme 6). This complex rearrangement includes a shift of the whole polyenyne chain from C(6), C(6′) to C(5), C(5′) of the original molecule.