Synthesis of [4,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dithiolan-2-yl]nucleosides as Potential Inhibitors of HIV(1)

The synthesis of [4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dithiolan-2-yl]nucleosides is described. (2S,3S)-1,2:3,4-Diepoxybutane (13) was reacted with potassium thiocyanate to give (2R,3R)-1,2:3,4-diepithiobutane (14). Thiiranering opening with acetate followed by deacetylation gave (2R,3R)-2,3-dithiothreitol (19) which was silylated and treated with trimethyl orthoformate to give the 2-methoxy-1,3-dithiolane 20. Condensation of 20 with silylated thymine, uracil, N(4)-benzoylcytosine and 6-chloropurine using a modified Vorbrüggen procedure, followed by deprotection, gave the nucleoside analogues. Compounds 26, 28, and 30 were found to be inactive when tested for anti-HIV activity in vitro.