Synthesis of 2′-Deoxyribofuranosides of 8-Aza-7-deazaguanine and Related Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines

The N(1)- and N(2)-(2′-deoxyribofuranosides) 1 and 2 , respectively, of 8-aza-7-deazaguanine were prepared via phase-transfer glycosylation in the presence or absence of Bu₄NHSO₄ as catalyst of 6-amino-4-methoxy-lH-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ( 7c ) with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-(p-toluoyl)-α-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride ( 10 ). On a similar route, but without catalyst and employing THF as organic phase, the 6-amino-4-chloronucleosides 11b and 12b were synthesized from 7a and converted into the N(1)-and N(2)-substituted 4-thioxo analogues 17a and 18a , respectively. The ratio of N(1)- to N(2)-glycosylation was 2:1 for 7c and 1:1 for 7a , viz. depending on the nucleobase structure. The rate of the H⁺-catalyzed N-glycosyl hydrolysis was strongly decreased for the N(2)-(β-D -2′-deoxyribofuranosides) as compared to the N(1)-compounds. However, the N(1)-nucleoside 1 , which is an isostere of 2′-deoxyguanosine, is sufficiently stable to be employed later in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis.     

8-Aza-7-deaza-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine: Deoxygenation of its 2′deoxy-β-D-ribofuranoside

The synthesis of 6-amino-1-(2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D -glycero-pentofuranosyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one ( =8-aza-7-deaza-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine; 1 ) from its 2′-deoxyribofuranoside 5a by a five-step deoxygenation route is described. The precursor of 5a, 3a , was prepared by solid-liquid phase-transfer glyscosylation which gave higher yields (57%) than the liquid-liquid method. Ammonoloysis of 3b furnished the diamino nucleoside 3c . Compound 1 was less acid sensitive at the N-glycosydic bond than 2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine ( 2 ).     

Synthesis of 8-Aza-2′-deoxyadenosine and related 7-Amino-3H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine 2′-Deoxyribofuranosides: Stereoselective glycosylation via the nucleobase anion

The synthesis of 8-aza-2′-deoxyadenosine ( = 7-amino-3H-1,2,3 triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine N³-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranoside); 1 ) as well as the N²- and N¹-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosides) 2 and 3 is described. Glycosylation of the anion of 7-amino-3H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine ( 6 ) in DMF yielded three regioisomeric protected 2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosides, i.e. the N³-, N²-, and N⁴-glycosylated isomers 7 (14%), 9 (11%), and 11 (3%), respectively, together with nearly equal amounts of their α-D-anomers 8 (13%), 10 (12%), and 12 (4%; Scheme 1). The reaction became Stereoselective for the β-D-nucleosides if the anion of 7-methoxy-3H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine ( 13 ) was glycosylated in MeCN: only the N³-, N², and N¹-(2′-deoxy-β-D-nucleosides) 14 (29%), 15 (32%), and 16 (23%), respectively, were formed (Scheme 2). NH₃ Treatment of the methoxynucleosides 14–16 afforded the aminonucleosides 1–3 . The anomeric configuration as well as the position of glycosylation were determined by combination of ¹³ C-NMR , ¹ H-NMR , and 1D-NOE difference spectroscopy. Compound 1 proved to be a substrate for adenosine deaminase, whereas the regioisomers 2 and 3 were not deaminated.     

Synthesis of oligonucleotides containing 7-(2-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)guanine and 8-amino-2′-deoxyguanosine

The synthesis of oligonucleotides containing 7-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)guanine and 8-amino-2′-deoxyguanosine was accomplished. The viable intermediate N²-isobutyryl-7-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)guanine ( 6 ) was prepared via a four step deoxygenation procedure from 7-β-D-ribofuranosylguanine ( 1 ). The 5′-hydroxyl group of 6 was protected as 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl ether and then converted to the target phosphoramidite ( 8 ) via conventional phosphitylation procedure. The amino groups of 8-amino-2′-deoxyguanosine ( 9 ) were protected in the form of N-(dimethylainino)methylene functions to give the protected nucleoside 10 , which was subsequently converted to the target phosphoramidite 12 via dimethoxytritylation followed by phosphitylation. The phosphoramidites 8 and 12 were incorporated into a 26-mer and a 31-mer G-rich oligonucleotide using solid-support, phosphoramidite methodology. Analysis of antiparallel triplex formation by the oligonucleotides containing 7-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofura-nosyl)guanine in place of 2′-deoxyguanosine showed no enhancement in triple helix formation.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Indazole 2′-Deoxy-β-D-ribonucleosides: Glycosylation of the Nucleobase Anion

The glycosylation of indazolyl anions derived from 4a , b with 2-deoxy-3,5-bis-O-(4-methylbenzoyl)-α-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride ( 5 ) is described. The reaction was Stereoselective – exclusive β-D -anomer formation – but regioisomeric N¹- and N²-(2′-deoxy-β-D -ribofuranosides) (i.e. 6a and 7a , resp., and 6b and 7b , resp.) were formed in about equal amounts. They were deprotected to yield 8a , b and 9a , b . Compound 1 , related to 2′-deoxyadenosine ( 3 ), and its regioisomer 2 were obtained from 8b and 9b , respectively, by catalytic hydrogenation. The anomeric configuration as well as the position of glycosylation were determined by 1D NOE-difference spectroscopy. The first protonation site of 1 and 2 was found to be the NH₂ group. The N-glycosylic bond of 1H-indazole N¹-(2′-deoxyribofuranosides) is more stable than that of the parent purine nucleosides. Compound 1 is no substrate for adenosine deaminase.     

Oligonucleotides Containing Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines: The Influence of 7-Substituted 8-Aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosines on the Duplex Structure and Stability

Oligonucleotides containing 7-substituted 8-aza-7-deazaguanines (=6-amino-1,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-ones) were prepared by automated solid-phase synthesis. A series of 7-alkynylated 8-aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosines (see 4a – d ) were synthesized with the 7-iodonucleoside 3c as starting material and by the Pd⁰/Cu^I-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with various alkynes. Phosphoramidites were prepared from the 7-substituted 8-aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine derivatives carrying halogeno, cyano, and hexynyl substituents. From the melting profiles of oligonucleotide duplexes, the T_m values as well as the thermodynamic data were determined. A significant duplex stabilization by the 7-substituents was observed for the DNA⋅DNA duplexes, but not in the case of DNA⋅RNA hybrids.     

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.     

Facile Synthesis of 2′-Deoxyisoguanosine and Related 2′,3′-Dideoxyribonucleosides

The 2′-deoxyisoguanosine ( 1 ) was synthesized by a two-step procedure from 2′-deoxyguanosine ( 5 ). Amination of silylated 2′-deoxyguanosine yielded 2-amino-2′-deoxyadenosine ( 6 ) which was subjected to selective deamination of the 2-NH₂ group resulting in compound 1 . Also 2′,3′-dideoxyisoguanosine ( 2 ) was prepared employing the photo-substitution of the 2-substituent of 2-chloro-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine ( 4 ). The latter was synthesized by Barton deoxygenation from 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine ( 3 ) or via glycosylation of 2,6-dichloropurine ( 12 ) with the lactol 13 . Compound 1 was less stable at the N-glycosylic bond than 2′-deoxyguanosine ( 5 ). The dideoxynucleoside 2 was deaminated by adenosine deaminase affording 2′,3′-dideoxyxanthosine ( 17 ).     

Synthesis of 8-Aza-1,3-dideaza-2′-deoxyadenosine and 5,6-Disubstituted Benzotriazole 2′-Deoxy-β-D-Ribofuranosides via Nucleobase-Anion Glycosylation

The synthesis of 8-aza-1,3-dideaza-2′-deoxyadenosine ( 3a ) as well as of 4- and 5,6-substituted benzotriazole 2′-deoxy-β-D -ribonucleosides is described (Schemes 1–3). Glycosylation of benzotriazole anions is stereoselective in all cases (exclusive β-D -anomer formation), but regioisomeric N¹, N², and N³-(2′-deoxyribofuranosides) are formed. The distribution of the regioisomers is controlled by the nucleobase substituents. Anomeric configuration as well as the position of glycosylation are determined by UV and NMR in combination with 1D-NOE-difference spectroscopy. The unprotonated forms of 4-aminobenzotriazoic 2′-deoxy-β-D -ribofuranosides 3a – c exhibit strong fluorescence.     

Synthesis of 2′-Deoxyisoinosine and Related 2′-Deoxyribonucleosides

Various 2-substituted purine and pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine 2′-deoxyribonucleosides with methylthio ( 13a ), chloro ( 13b ), methoxy ( 9b ), and oxo ( 2, 3 ) substituents at C(2) are prepared. They are obtained either via stereoselective nucleobase-anion glycosylation or by base transformation. A three-step synthesis of the unknown 2′-deoxyisoinosine ( 2 ) from 2′-deoxyguanosine ( 15 ) is described. Compound 2 as well as its 7-deazapurine derivative 3 exhibit strong fluorescence.     

1,2-fused pyrimidines. V. Synthesis of 1-alkyl or phenyl-2H-dipyrido-[1,2-a:2′,3′-d]pyrimidine-2,5(1H)-diones

The reaction of 2-[(N-acyl, N-alkyl or phenyl)amino]-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones 8a-g with the N,N-dimethylformamide/phosphorus oxychloride Vilsmeier reagent 1 (95°, 90 minutes) afforded 1-alkyl or phenyl-2H-dipyrido[1,2-a:2′,3′-d]pyrimidine-2,5(1H)^?diones, 3-alkyl substituted or not, 10a-g . The starting compounds 8 were prepared by treating 2-amino-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones N-alkyl substituted 7a,b or N-phenyl substituted 4 with excess anhydrides (130°, 7 hours) when the 2-(alkylamino) derivatives 7 were used in the reaction, compounds 8 were obtained along with very small amounts of 3-acyl-2-(alkylamino)-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones 9 .     

7-Substituted 7-Deaza-2′-deoxyguanosines: Regioselective Halogenation of Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine Nucleosides

The synthesis of 7-chloro-, 7-bromo-, and 7-iodo-substituted 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine derivatives 2b – d is described. The regioselective 7-halogenation with N-halogenosuccinimides was accomplished using 7-[2-deoxy-3,5-O-di(2-methylpropanoyl)-β-D -erythro- pentofuranosyl]-2-(formylamino)-4-methoxy-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]- pyrimidine ( 4 ) as the common precursor. A one-pot reaction (2N aq. NaOH) of the halogenated intermediates 5a – c furnished the desired compounds. Also the 7-hexynyl derivative 2e of 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine is described.     

7‐Halogenated 7‐Deazapurine 2′‐Deoxyribonucleosides Related to 2′‐Deoxyadenosine, 2′‐Deoxyxanthosine,and 2′‐Deoxyisoguanosine: Syntheses and Properties

A series of 7‐fluorinated 7‐deazapurine 2′‐deoxyribonucleosides related to 2′‐deoxyadenosine, 2′‐deoxyxanthosine, and 2′‐deoxyisoguanosine as well as intermediates 4b – 7b, 8, 9b, 10b , and 17b were synthesized. The 7‐fluoro substituent was introduced in 2,6‐dichloro‐7‐deaza‐9H‐purine ( 11a ) with Selectfluor (Scheme 1). Apart from 2,6‐dichloro‐7‐fluoro‐7‐deaza‐9H‐purine ( 11b ), the 7‐chloro compound 11c was formed as by‐product. The mixture 11b / 11c was used for the glycosylation reaction; the separation of the 7‐fluoro from the 7‐chloro compound was performed on the level of the unprotected nucleosides. Other halogen substituents were introduced with N‐halogenosuccinimides ( 11a → 11c – 11e ). Nucleobase‐anion glycosylation afforded the nucleoside intermediates 13a – 13e (Scheme 2). The 7‐fluoro‐ and the 7‐chloro‐7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyxanthosines, 5b and 5c , respectively, were obtained from the corresponding MeO compounds 17b and 17c , or 18 (Scheme 6). The 2′‐deoxyisoguanosine derivative 4b was prepared from 2‐chloro‐7‐fluoro‐7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyadenosine 6b via a photochemically induced nucleophilic displacement reaction (Scheme 5). The pK_a values of the halogenated nucleosides were determined (Table 3). ¹³C‐NMR Chemical‐shift dependencies of C(7), C(5), and C(8) were related to the electronegativity of the 7‐halogen substituents (Fig. 3). In aqueous solution, 7‐halogenated 2′‐deoxyribonucleosides show an approximately 70% S population (Fig. 2 and Table 1).     

Stereoselective synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine α- and β-D-ribonucleosides from anomerically pure D-ribofuranosyl chlorides: Solid-Liquid Phase-Transfer Glycosylation and 15N-NMR Spectra

Solid-liquid phase-transfer glycosylation (KOH, tris[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethye]amine ( = TDA-1), MeCN) of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines such as 3a and 3b with an equimolar amount of 5-O-[(1,1 -dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-2,3-O-(1-methylethylidene)-α-D -ribofuranosyl chloride (1) [6] gave the protected β-D -nucleosides 4a and 4b , respectively, stereoselectively (Scheme). The β-D -anomer 2 [6] yielded the corresponding α-D -nucleosides 5a and 5b with traces of the β-D -compounds. The 6-substituted 7-deazapurine nucleosides 6a , 7a , and 8 were converted into tubercidin (10) or its α-D -anomer (11) . Spin-lattice relaxation measurements of anomeric ribonucleosides revealed that T₁ values of H? C(8) in the α-D -series are significantly increased compared to H? C(8) in the β-D -series while the opposite is true for T₁ of H? C(1′). ¹⁵N-NMR data of 6-substituted 7-deazapurine D -ribofuranosides were assigned and compared with those of 2′-deoxy compounds. Furthermore, it was shown that 7-deaza-2′deoxyadenosine ( = 2′-deoxytubercidin; 12 ) is protonated at N(1), whereas the protonation site of 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine ( 20 ) is N(3).     

Synthesis,Base Pairing,and Structural Transitions of Oligodeoxyribonucleotides Containing 8-Aza-2′-deoxyguanosine

The synthesis of oligonucleotides containing 8-aza-2′-deoxyguanosine (z⁸G_d; 1 ) or its N⁸-regioisomer z⁸G_d^* ( 2 ) instead of 2′-deoxyguanosine (G_d) is described. For this purpose, the NH₂ group of 1 and 2 was protected with a (dimethylamino)methylidene residue (→ 5, 6 ), a 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl group was introduced at 5′-OH (→ 7, 8 ), and the phosphonates 3a and 4 as well as the phosphoramidite 3b were prepared. These building blocks were used in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The oligonucleotides were characterized by enzymatic hydrolysis and melting curves (T_m values). The thermodynamic data of the oligomers 12–15 indicate that duplexes were stabilized when 1 was replacing G_d. The aggregation of d(T-G-G-G-G-T) ( 18 ) was studied by RP 18 HPLC, gel electrophoresis and CD spectroscopy and compared with that of oligonucleotides containing an increasing number of z⁸G_d residues instead of G_d. Similarly to [d(C-G)]₃ ( 12a ), the hexamer d(C-z⁸G-C-z⁸G-C-G) ( 14 ) underwent salt-dependent B-Z transition.