Novel carbocyclic nucleosides containing a cyclobutyl ring: adenosine analogues

(1S,1'R)-cis-1-(3'-aminomethyl-2',2'-dimethylcyclobutyl)ethanol (1) and (1S,1'R)-cis-1-[3'-(2-aminoethyl)-2',2'-dimethylcyclobutyl]ethanol (2) were used as precursors in the synthesis of cyclobutyl nucleoside analogues containing adenine and 8-azaadenine moieties, which were tested as antiviral and antitumoral agents in a variety of assay systems. Compounds 8 and 9 displayed significant activity against respiratory syncytial virus, and compounds 14 and 15 were moderately active against vaccinia virus.     

Novel oligonucleotide analogues containing a morpholinoamidine unit

Morpholinoamidines were devised as new cationic units in oligonucleotides, by combining morpholino-nucleosides (to simplify the nomenclature, we will use the term morpholino-nucleosides to refer to nucleoside analogues in which the ribose ring was transformed into a morpholine) with internucleoside guanidines. Here, methodology was developed to synthesize oligonucleotides containing morpholinoamidines formed by morpholino-uridine and 5′-amino-5′-deoxythymidine. Morpholinoamidine was produced by solid-phase reaction of Alloc-morpholinocarbothioamide with 5′-aminonucleoside resin and Mukaiyama's reagent activation. Two 14-mer oligonucleotides containing a single morpholinoamidine were synthesized and their affinity properties were investigated by forming DNA double and triple helices. Duplexes were slightly stabilized by a 3′ unit, but were less stable if internally positioned. Notably, triplexes were significantly stabilized at pH 7.0.     

An efficient synthesis of dienic nucleoside analogues via a Mitsunobu reaction

Nucleoside analogues 9 and 12 were obtained in good yields from alcohol 7 which, under Mitsunobu conditions, led to the title products after deprotection steps.     

Determination of redox potentials for the Watson-Crick base pairs, DNA nucleosides, and relevant nucleoside analogues

Redox potentials for the DNA nucleobases and nucleosides, various relevant nucleoside analogues, Watson-Crick base pairs, and seven organic dyes are presented based on DFT/B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) and B3YLP/6-311+G(2df,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G* levels of calculations. The values are determined from an experimentally calibrated set of equations that correlate the vertical ionization (electron affinity) energy of 20 organic molecules with their experimental reversible oxidation (reduction) potential. Our results are in good agreement with those estimated experimentally for the DNA nucleosides in acetonitrile solutions (Seidel et al. J. Phys. Chem. 1996, 100, 5541). We have found that nucleosides with anti conformation exhibit lower oxidation potentials than the corresponding syn conformers. The lowering in the oxidation potential is due to the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction between the 5'-OH group of the sugar and the N3 of the purine bases or C2=O of the pyrimidine bases in the syn conformation. Pairing of adenine or guanine with its complementary pyrimidine base decreases its oxidation potential by 0.15 or 0.28 V, respectively. The calculated energy difference between the oxidation potential for the G.C base pair and that of the guanine base is in good agreement with the experimental value estimated recently (0.34 V: Caruso, T.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 15040). The complete and consistent set of reversible redox values determined in this work for the DNA constituents is expected to be of considerable value to those studying charge and electronic energy transfer in DNA.     

Synthesis and stability of oligonucleotides containing acyclic achiral nucleoside analogues with two base moieties

[structure: see text] Nucleotide building blocks with two base moieties were synthesized and incorporated into oligonucleotides. One of the two bases is involved in base pairing within the double helix, while the other base is sticking out of the minor groove. This system may be used for presenting sequence information at the outside of the helix.     

Pd-Xantphos-catalyzed direct arylation of nucleosides

Direct arylation of the exocyclic amino groups of nucleosides represents a simple approach to N-aryl nucleoside derivatives. To date, one limitation has been that only electron-deficient aryl bromides and triflates possessed adequate reactivity for efficient, direct N-arylation of nucleosides. We demonstrate herein that Pd-Xantphos catalytic systems lead to successful N-arylation of suitably protected 2'-deoxyadenosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine with a wide range of aryl bromides.     

A direct method for the synthesis of nucleoside 5′-methylenebis(phosphonate)s from nucleosides

An efficient method for the preparation of nucleoside 5′-methylenebis(phosphonate)s has been developed. Unprotected nucleosides are phosphonylated directly with methylenebis(phosphonic dichloride). Reaction conditions were optimized to prevent side product formation.     

Asymmetric synthesis of cyclohexene nucleoside analogues

The asymmetric synthesis of novel cyclohexene nucleoside analogues 12 and 15 is described. An enantiospecific Diels-Alder reaction between (E,E)-diene 2 and (+)-5-(d-mentyloxy)-2(5H)-furanone 3 provided the cycloadduct isomer 4. Three additional steps yielded amine 8 allowing the constructions of the thymine and adenine moieties to afford intermediates 11 and 14, respectively. Amination or cyclization and removal of the protecting groups occurred in one step in the presence of ammonia, giving the target six-membered ring nucleosides.     

Acyclic analogues of purine and imidazole nucleosides

Hydroxyl-protected derivatives of 1- and 3-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)imidazoles ( 4,5,7-10 ) have been prepared from 5-amino-4-carbamoylimidazoles ( 2 ). The protected derivatives were converted to acyclic analogues of imidazole nucleosides ( 6 ) or subjected to various cyclisation reactions leading to 9-(2-hydroxy-ethoxymethyl)-substituted 2-methyl-, 2-phenyl- and 2-azahypoxanthines ( 18,13 and 20 , respectively) and 1-methylguanine ( 28 ). For assignment of structures to isomeric imidazole and purine derivatives, ¹³C chemical shifts have been used.     

Preparation of acyclo nucleoside phosphonate analogues based on cross-metathesis

In our on-going program targeting anti-pox activity, we report here the synthesis of hitherto unknown acyclic nucleoside phosphonates using olefin cross-metathesis (CM) as a key assembly step. Modification at the C-5 position of the uracil moiety was performed under optimized Pd(0)-catalyzed Stille cross-coupling conditions. None of the obtained compounds were active against poxviruses, nor do they exhibit any toxicity.     

Isoxazolidine analogues of pseudouridine: a new class of modified nucleosides

A new class of modified C-nucleosides has been synthesized according to the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition methodology. The obtained compounds are structurally related to natural pseudouridine, where the sugar moiety is replaced by an isoxazolidine ring. Different experimental conditions, and the effect of additives on the cycloaddition process, have been examined; the best results were obtained when the cycloaddition reaction was performed under microwave irradiation     

Regioselective synthesis of 5-trifluoromethyl-1,2,3-triazole nucleoside analogues via TBS-directed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

Herein described was a straightforward method for the highly regioselective synthesis of 5-trifluoromethyl-1,2,3-triazole nucleoside analogues, which featured the utilization of tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) group as the directing group in the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions. 4-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1,2,3-triazole nucleoside analogues were generated as the only cycloaddition products in moderate yields (15-79%) via the treatment of glycosyl azides with 3,3,3-trifluoro-1-tert-butyldimethylsilylpropyne 1 in toluene at 85 °C. Removal of TBS groups in these triazole cycloadducts with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) smoothly afforded the various 5-trifluoromethyl-1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole nucleoside analogues in good yields (40-88%).     

Synthesis of analogues of Eunicea gamma-cembranolides containing cyclic ethers via saponification.

A method for the synthesis of derivatives of the lead structures euniolide (1), 12,13-bisepieupalmerin (2), and eupalmerin acetate (3) containing tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydropyran ring systems was developed on the basis of alkali-induced intramolecular oxacyclizations. Representatives of the new analogues were submitted to the in vitro antitumor cell-line-screening program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). While it was shown that a variety of structural modifications are possible, these transformations led typically to nontoxic synthetic cembranoids.     

A novel approach to carbocyclic analogues of nucleosides

(±)-1-[(1α,3α,4α)-3-Hydroxy-4-hydroxymethlcyclopentyl]- (1H,3H-pyrimidin-2,4-dione (6) was synthesized starting from endo-5-norbornen-2-yl acetate via the urea derivative 5 in 32% overall yield.     

Convenient synthesis of nucleoside and isonucleoside analogues

[reaction: see text]. A very simple methodology to stereoselectively achieve tricyclic isonucleosides (nucleobase = thymine, uracil, and 5-fluoruracil) and 3'-C-branched nucleosides (nucleobase = theophylline) was performed by means of a DBU-mediated addition process using a readily available 2-bromo sugar. The mechanism for these transformations implies the loss of both substituents at C-2 and C-3 on the sugar moiety, and although it seems that DBU is probably involved, its involvement has not yet been ascertained. Cytosine did not react under these conditions.     

Carbonylative lactonization via carbonyl oxygen attack: a short and selective total synthesis of uncinine and its analogues

A novel cytotoxic butenolide alkaloid, uncinine, has been synthesized for the first time in 8 steps from propargyl alcohol. The sequence features a mild and efficient tandem carbonylative lactonization of a β-iodoenone precursor using an inorganic base at 1 atm CO, and an indirect attachment of the pyrrolidinone ring via nucleophilic substitution with methyl γ-aminobutyrate.     

Synthesis and evaluation of hexitol nucleoside congeners as ambiguous nucleosides

A series of anhydrohexitol nucleoside congeners was synthesized as ambiguous or so-called universal nucleosides and was evaluated for their hybridization potential and discrimination properties. The 1,5-anhydro-2,3-dideoxy-2-(5-nitroindazol-1-yl)-d-arabino-hexitol 4e showed the lower spread in T_m values upon hybridization to the natural bases, with minimal destabilization, and therefore behaved as a true ambiguous nucleoside.     

Novel tricyclic heterocycles (benzopyrrocolines) arising via carbanion attack on a nitrile function

A new reaction of 2-n-alkanoyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinaldonitriles 1 (isoquinoline Reissert compounds) has been discovered. As previously reported reaction of the conjugate bases of Reissert compounds with alkyl halides yields the corresponding 1-alkyl derivatives 2 . However, compounds 2 , R = n-alkyl, with only a catalytic amount of bases form the enolate ion, which attacks the neighboring nitrile functionality to produce directly in the same reaction vessel excellent yields of benzopyrrocoline derivatives 5-10 . The nmr spectrum reveals a solvent dependent tautomeric equilibrium between ketoeneamine ( a ) and ketoimine ( b ) forms. Unlike compounds 2 the double bonds of the pyridine ring of compounds 7 and 8 were readily reduced with hydrogen. Thus, n-alkanoyl Reissert compounds afford a convenient route to the corresponding benzopyrroco-lines.     

Cyclopentene carbocyclic nucleosides related to the antitumor nucleoside clitocine and their conversion to 8-Aza-neplanocin analogues. Synthesis and antiviral activity

Synthesis of the cyclopentene carbocyclic analogue of the naturally occurring nucleoside clitocine ( 1 ) is reported. Starting with racemic cyclopentenylamine ( 10 ), the heterocyclic moieties of the clitocine analogue 4 and related 1,6-dihydro-6-oxo, 5 , and 2-amino-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo, 6 , analogues were constructed. These compounds were respectively converted to 8-aza-neplanocin A (7) , 8-aza-neplanocin D ( 8 , the inosine analogue), and the corresponding 8-aza-guanosine analogue 9 after reduction of the nitro group followed by nitrous acid cyclization. Extensive antiviral evaluation revealed that only 8-aza-neplanocin A ( 7 ) had enough antiviral activity to warrant further studies. This compound showed weak antiviral activity against HSV-1, HSV-20 and the thymidine kinase deficient (TK-) HSV-1. However, it displayed good antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) at a concentration of 0.40–2.50 μg/ml, well below the cytotoxicity threshold. This activity profile is consistent with a mechanism of action involving the inhibition of the enzyme adenosylhomo-cysteine hydrolase.     

Novel synthesis of 8-deaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroaminopterin analogues via an aziridine intermediate

An efficient method for the construction of the tetrahydrofolate skeleton is described. Starting from pterin analogues and aromatic amines, 8-deaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroaminopterin derivatives and the heterocyclic benzoyl isosteres were synthesized via a novel aziridine intermediate. Following this method, the byproducts of carbon-nitrogen bond hydrogenolysis in traditional synthetic strategy can be completely avoided.