A General Method for the Synthesis of 2′-O-Modified Ribonucleosides

A general way for the functionalization of ribonucleosides is described. The method involves the synthesis of the methyl-ribofuranoside derivative 6 equipped with a linker at the 2-hydroxy group (Scheme 2). After introduction of the nucleic-acid bases under standard conditions (Scheme 3), the resulting β-D -ribonucleosides 8 and 10 are further transformed to derivatives with lipophilic, intercalating, and aminoalkyl residues at the linker moiety. In this way, 2′-modified 5-methyluridines 12 , adenosines 13 , and 5-methylcytidines 15 and 16 were prepared (Scheme 4).     

Nucleosides 4: Synthesis of 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxydoridosine and 2′,3′-Dideoxydoridosine as Potential Antihypertensive Agents

To measure the hydrophobic character of the ribose moiety of doridosine on the adenosine receptors, 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxydoridosine (2) and 2′,3′-dideoxydoridosine (3) were prepared. Initial treatment of doridosine with N,N-dimethylformamide diethylacetal, and subsequently with tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride gave 5. Compound 5 was then reacted with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole and the resulting thionocarbonate 6 was heated with triethyl phosphite at 135°C to afford 7. Treatment of compound 7 with tetrabutylammonium fluoride and methanolic ammonia furnished compound 2 in good yield. Compound 2 was subjected to catalytic hydrogenation affording compound 3 in 85% yield.     

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.     

Synthesis of 3′,5′‐Cyclic Phosphate and Thiophosphate Esters of 2′‐C‐Methyl Ribonucleosides

2′‐C‐Methylnucleosides are known to exhibit antiviral activity against Hepatitis C virus. Since the inhibitory activity depends on their intracellular conversion to 5′‐triphosphates, dosing as appropriately protected 5′‐phosphates or 5′‐phosphorothioates appears attractive. For this purpose, four potential pro‐drugs of 2′‐C‐methylguanosine, i.e., 3′,5′‐cyclic phosphorothioate of 2′‐C‐methylguanosine and 2′‐C,O⁶‐dimethylguanosine, 1 and 2 , respectively, the S‐[(pivaloyloxy)methyl] ester of 2′‐C,O⁶‐dimethylguanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic phosphorothioate and the O‐methyl ester of 2′‐C,O⁶‐dimethylguanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic phosphate, 3 and 4 , respectively, have been prepared.     

Nucleosides and nucleotides. Part 25.. Synthesis of a protected 1-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-1 H-benzimidazole 3′-phosphate

1-(2′-Deoxy-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-′-D -ribofuranosyl)-1 H-benzimidazole 3′-[(p-chlorophenyl)(2-cyanoethyl) phosphate] ( 6 ) has been synthesized from 1-(β-D -ribofuranosyl)-1H-benzimidazole ( 3b ) using regiospecific 2′-deoxygenation. The latter compound was obtained by glycosylation of benzimidazole with the D -ribose derivative 2 leading exclusively of the β-D -anomer.     

Carbocyclic Analogs of Nucleosides. Part 3. Synthesis of a new sulfone analog of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate

The novel uncharged analog 2 of adenosine 3′,5′ -monophosphate (1) was prepared in its racemic form. To increase membrane permeability, the phosphate diester monoanion group of 1 was replaced by a dimethylene sulfone unit ( = methanosulfonylmethano group), and the 2′-OH group was removed. To decrease lability against acid-catalyzed depurination, the ring O-atom was replaced by a CH₂ group. All three modifications are also expected to increase the stability of analog 2 towards enzymatic degradation. The carbocyclic skeleton of 2 was constructed from trinorbornenecarbaldehyde 3 (see Scheme 1–3), and the adenine precursor 6-chloropurine was introduced in the carbocyclic unit via an S_N2 reaction based on Mitsunobu chemistry (Schemes 4 and 5).     

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.     

Nucleotides. Part XXXI. Modified Oligomeric 2′–5′ A Analogues: Synthesis of 2′–5′ oligonucleotides with 9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine and 9-(3′-amino-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine as modified nucleosides

A series of new 2′–5′ oligonucleotides carrying the 9-(3′-azido-3′deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine moiety as a building block has been synthesized via the phosphotriester method. The use of the 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) blocking groups for phosphate, amino, and hydroxy protection guaranteed straightforward syntheses in high yields and easy deblocking lo form the 2′–5′ trimers 21 , 22 , and 25 and the tetramer 23 . Catalytic reduction of the azido groups in [9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine]2′-yl-[2′-(O^p-ammonio)→ 5′]-[9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenin]-2′-yl-[2′-(O^p-ammonio)→ 5′]-9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine ( 21 ) led to the corresponding 9-(3′-amino-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)-adenine 2′–5′ trimer 26 in which the two internucleotidic linkages are formally neutralized by intramolecular betaine formation.     

Carbocyclic analogs of nucleosides. Part 2.. Synthesis of 2′,3′-dideoxy-5′-homonucleoside analogs

A set of derivatives of cyclopentaneacetic acid cis-substituted at position 3 by nucleoside bases (both purines and pyrimidines) were prepared and characterized (see 11, 14 , and 23a, b; Schemes 2–4). These molecules are carbocyclic analogs of 2′,3′-dideoxy-5′-homonucleosides. In this synthesis, the skeleton was constructed from norbornanone and a novel method based on Mitsunobu chemistry used for the introduction of nucleoside-base substituents. The scope of this method was further explored via the preparation of a cyclobutyl analog of dideoxyguanosine (see 17 , Scheme 3).     

Nucleotides. Part XXXV. Synthesis of 3′-deoxyadenylyl-(2′–5′)-3′-deoxyadenyIyl-(2′–ω)-9-(ω-hydroxyalkyl)adenines

Via the phosphotriester approach, new structural analogs of (2′–5′)oligoadenyiates, namely 3′-deoxyadenylyl-(2′–5′)-3′-dcoxyadenylyl-(2′–ω)-9-(ω-hydroxyalkyl)adenines 18 – 21 , have been synthesized (see Scheme) which should preserve biological activity and show higher stability towards phosphodiesterases. The newly synthesized oligonucleotides 18 – 21 have been characterized by ¹H-NMR spectra, TLC, and HPLC analysis.     

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.     

Nucleotides,Part LX,Synthesis and Characterization of New 2′-O-Methylriboside 3′-O-Phosphoramidites Useful for the Solid-Phase Synthesis of 2′-O-Methyloligoribonucleotides

A series of new 2′-O-methylribonucleoside 3′-O-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl dialkylphosphoramidites] 27 – 31 , 33 – 38 , 40 – 44 , and 45 – 50 were synthesized and their stability and reactivity compared in automated oligonucleotide synthesis with the standard 2′-O-methylribonucleoside 3′-O-(β-cyanoethyl diisopropylphosphoramidites) 32 , 39 , 45 , and 51 , respectively. The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) groups were used for the protection of the base moieties.     

Nucleosides. CIX. 2′-Deoxy-ψ-isocytidine, 2 -deoxy-ψ-uridine,and 2′-deoxy-l-methyl-ψ-uridine. Isosteres of deoxycytidine,deoxyuridine and thymidine

2′-Deoxy-ψ-isocytidine (VIIβ), a 2′-deoxy analog of antileukemic ψ-isocytidine and also a C-nucleoside analog of deoxycytidine, was synthesized from ψ-uridine by making use of the newly discovered pyrimidine to pyrimidine transformation reaction [J. Chem. Soc., 14, 537 (1977)]. 2′-Deoxy-ψ-uridine (IIβ) and 2′-deoxy-l-methyl-ψ-uridine (V), both C-nucleoside analogs of deoxyuridine and thymidine, were also synthesized. ψ-Uridine was converted into the 2′-chloro analogs (I) which was reduced with tributyltin hydride to give an α,β-mixture of 2′-deoxy-ψ-uridines. The β-isomer (11β was trimethylsilylated and the product (III) treated with methyl iodide to afford the 1-methyl derivative (IV). After hydrolytic removal of the trimethylsilyl groups from IV, the thymidine analog (V) was obtained in good yield. A crude mixture of II was converted in good yield into an α,β-mixture of 1,3-dimethyl-2 -deoxy-ψ-uridines (VI) by treatment with DMF dimethyl acetal in DMF. Treatment of the β-isomer (VIβ) with guanidine, however, gave the α,β-mixture of 2 -deoxy-ψ-isocytidines (VII). The pure β-isomer (VIIβ) was obtained by thick layer chromatography. The pure α-isomer (VIIα) was obtained when VIα was treated with guanidine. 2 -Deoxy-ψ-isocytidine (VIIβ) and 2 -deoxy-l-methyl-ψ-uridine (V) exhibited inhibitory activity against P815 cells (ID_{5 0} 1.2 μg./ml. and 4.9 μg./ml., respectively) and the thymidine analog V was found to be active against Streptococcus faecium var. duran. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 14, 1119 (1977)     

Nucleotides. Part XXVIII. Chemical syntheses of the 2′-5′-cordycepin-trimer core

The chemical synthesis of 3′-deoxyadenyly-(2′-5′)-3′-deoxyadenylyl-(2′-5′)-3′-deoxyadenosine ( 30 ; trimeric cordycepin) is described by three different routes using various protecting groups and applying the phosphotriester approach. The intermediates have been isolated and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic means. High yields of 30 have been obtained on deprotection making this biologically very active compound available in preparative scale.     

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.     

Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of 1′‐ and 3′‐Substituted 2‐Deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐D‐ribofuranosyl Nucleosides

Convergent syntheses of the 9‐(3‐X‐2,3‐dideoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranosyl)adenines 5 (X=N₃) and 7 (X=NH₂), as well as of their respective α‐anomers 6 and 8 , are described, using methyl 2‐azido‐5‐O‐benzoyl‐2,3‐dideoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranoside ( 4 ) as glycosylating agent. Methyl 5‐O‐benzoyl‐2,3‐dideoxy‐2,3‐difluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranoside ( 12 ) was prepared starting from two precursors, and coupled with silylated N⁶‐benzoyladenine to afford, after deprotection, 2′,3′‐dideoxy‐2′,3′‐difluoroadenosine ( 13 ). Condensation of 1‐O‐acetyl‐3,5‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranose ( 14 ) with silylated N²‐palmitoylguanine gave, after chromatographic separation and deacylation, the N⁷‐β‐anomer 17 as the main product, along with 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoroguanosine ( 15 ) and its N⁹‐α‐anomer 16 in a ratio of ca. 42 : 24 : 10. An in‐depth conformational analysis of a number of 2,3‐dideoxy‐2‐fluoro‐3‐X‐D ‐ribofuranosides (X=F, N₃, NH₂, H) as well as of purine and pyrimidine 2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐D ‐ribofuranosyl nucleosides was performed using the PSEUROT (version 6.3) software in combination with NMR studies.     

Nucleotides. Part. XXXII. Synthesis of 2′–5′ Connected oligonucleotides. Prodrugs for antiviral and antitumoral nucleosides

The cytotoxically and antivirally active compounds bvU_d ( 1 ), flU_d ( 4 ), acyclovir ( 7 ), and A_a ( 12 ) have chemically been combined with the appropriately protected (2′–5′)diadenylate 20 by the phosphotriester approach to give the 2′–5′ oligonucleotide trimers 21 – 24 . The deprotection of the various blocking groups by chemical means afforded the 2′–5′ trimers 25 – 28 , which can be regarded as new type of a potential prodrug form delivering nucleotides to the targets inside cells. In an analogous series of reactions, 9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine was coupled with 7 to the 2′–5′ trimer 31 . The antiviral screening of the oligonucleotides 25–27 and 31 showed biological activities closely related to the parent nucleosides, possibly indicating their release by enzymatic cleavage of the oligomers.     

Efficient Synthesis of β‐Acetamido Ketones and Esters Using Aluminum Chloride as an Inexpensive and Green Catalyst

Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) efficiently catalyzes one‐pot multicomponent condensation of enolizable ketones or alkyl acetoacetates with aldehydes, acetonitrile and acetyl chloride to afford β‐acetamido ketone or ester derivatives in high to excellent yields and in relatively short reaction times. Moreover, by this synthetic method, some novel β‐acetamido ketones and esters (i.e. one complex structure) are prepared.