Synthesis of 5-benzyl and 5-benzyloxybenzyl-3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine and their analogues as potential anti-AIDS agents

5-Benzyl and 5-benzyloxybenzyl-substituted 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine, ( 8a and 8b ), 3′-halogeno-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a and 11b , and 2′,3′-dideoxyuridine, 12a and 12b , of Scheme I were synthesized as potential anti AIDS agents. Synthesis of epimers of 8a and 8b , 5-benzyl- and 5-benzyloxybenzyl-1-(3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-threo-pentafuranosyl)uracil, 15a and 15b , and 5-benzyl- and 5-benzyloxy-5′-azido-2′,5′-dideoxyuridine, 16a and 16b , shown in Scheme II, were also reported.