| Abstract: | The synthesis of 2-chloro-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole (4b) has been accomplished by a condensation of 2-chloro-1-trimethylsilylbenzimidazole (1) with 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-D-ribofuranosyl bromide (2) followed by subsequent deacetylation. Nucleophilic displacement of the 2-chloro group has furnished several interesting 2-substituted-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazoles. 1-(β-D-Ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole (5) and 1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole-2-thione (6) were prepared from 4b and 6 was also prepared by condensation of 2 with silylated benzimidazole- 2-thione (3). Alkylation of 6 furnished certain 2-alkylthio-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazoles and oxidation of 6 with alkaline hydrogen peroxide produced 1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole-2-one (9). The assignment of anomeric configuration for all nucleosides reported is discussed. |
