Synthesis of 2-Bromomethyl-3-Hydroxy-2-Hydroxymethyl-Propyl Pyrimidine and Theophylline Nucleosides Under Microwave Irradiation. Evaluation of Their Activity Against Hepatitis B Virus

Alkylation of 2-methylthiopyrimidin-4(1H)-one (1a) and its 5(6)-alkyl derivatives 1b–d as well as theophylline (7) with 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-diacetoxypropane (2) under microwave irradia-tion gave the corresponding acyclonucleosides 1-[(3-acetoxy-2-acetoxymethyl-2-bromomethyl)prop-1-yl]-2-methyl-thio pyrmidin-4(1H)-ones 3a–d and 7-[(3-acetoxy-2-acetoxymethyl-2-bromomethyl)prop-1-yl]theophylline (8), which upon further irradiation gave the double-headed acyclonucleosides 1,1 ′-[(2,2-diacetoxymethyl)-1,3-propylidene]-bis[(2-(methylthio)-pyrimidin-4(1H)-ones] 4a–c, and 7,7 ′-[(2,2-diacetoxymethyl)-1,3-propylidene]-bis(theophylline) (9). The deacetylated derivatives were obtained by the action of sodium methoxide. The activity of deacetylated nucleosides against Hepatitis B virus was evaluated. Compound 5b showed moderate inhibition activity against HBV with mild cytotoxicity.     

Retinoic Acid Metabolism Inhibition by 3-Azolylmethyl-1H-indoles and 2, 3 or 5-(α-Azolylbenzyl)-1H-indoles

Among a library of 70 azoles, 8 indole derivatives substituted in the 2-, 3- or 5- position with an azolylmethyl or α-azolylbenzyl chain were evaluated for retinoic acid (RA) metabolism inhibitory activity. The most active inhibitors identified in this study were 5-bromo-1-ethyl-3-methyl-2-[(phenyl)(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-indole (3) (68.9% inhibition) and 5-bromo-1-ethyl-2-[(4-fluorophenyl)(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-1H-indole (6) (60.4% inhibition). At the same concentration (100 μM) ketoconazole exerted similar inhibitory effect (70% inhibition).     

Candida antarctica lipase-B-catalyzed kinetic resolution of 1,3-dialkyl-3-hydroxymethyl oxindoles

Candida antarctica (CAL-B) lipase-catalyzed resolution of 1,3-dialkyl-3-hydroxymethyl oxindoles has been performed to obtain (R)-1,3-dialkyl-3-acetoxymethyl oxindoles with up to 99% ee and (S)-1,3-dialkyl-3-hydroxymethyl oxindoles with up to 78% ee using vinyl acetate as acylating agent and acetonitrile as solvent transforming (S)-3-allyl-3-hydroxymethyl oxindole to (3S)-1′-benzyl-5-(iodomethyl)-4,5-dihydro-2H-spiro[furan-3,3′-indolin]-2′-one. The optically active 3-substituted-3-hydroxymethyl oxindoles and spiro-oxindoles are among the key synthons in the synthesis of potentially biologically active molecules.     

Synthesis,structure, and antifungal evaluation of some novel 1,2,4-triazolylmercaptoacetylthiosemicarbazide and 1,2,4-triazolylmercaptomethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole analogs

Novel 1-[[4-(4-bromophenyl)-5-(2-furyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl]mercaptoacetyl]-4-alkyl/aryl-3-thiosemicarbazides (5–12) were synthesized by the reaction of 4-(4-bromophenyl)-5-(2-furyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-ylmercaptoacetylhydrazide (4) with substituted isothiocyanates. Cyclodehydration of thiosemicarbazides with concentrated sulfuric acid yielded 2-[4-(4-bromophenyl)-5-(2-furyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl]mercaptomethyl-5-alkyl/arylamino-1,3, 4-thiadiazoles (13–17). The new compounds were evaluated for in vitro antifungal activity using the microdilution method. The tested compounds showed varying degrees of activity against Microsporum gypseum NCPF-580, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (MIC 8–4 μg/mL).     

Design, synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel chroman-4-one, chroman, and 2H-chromene derivatives as human rhinovirus capsid-binding inhibitors

As part of an effort to generate broad-spectrum inhibitors of rhinovirus replication, novel series of (E)-3-[(E)-3-phenylallylidene]chroman-4-ones 1a–e, (E)-3-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)chroman-4-ones 2a and 2b, (Z)-3-[(E)-3-phenylallylidene]chromans 3a–e, and (E)-3-(3-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromenes 4a–d were designed and synthesized. All the compounds were tested in vitro for their efficacy against infection by human rhinovirus (HRV) 1B and 14, two representative serotypes for rhinovirus group B and A, respectively. Most of the analogues were found to be potent and selective inhibitors of both HRVs, although HRV 1B was generally more susceptible than HRV 14. Mechanism of action studies of (E)-6-chloro-3-(3-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromene 4b, the most potent compound on HRV 1B infection, suggested that 4b behaves as a capsid-binder probably acting at the uncoating level.     

The Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine Carbarzbo C-Nucleoside

Abstract

The synthesis of (-)-3-[(1S,2S,3R,4R)-2,3-dihydroxy-4-(hydroxmethyl) cyclopentan-1-yl]-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridme-4,6(5H,7H)-dione 3 was accomplished via enantiomerically pure carbocyclic 5-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)tetrazole 4.     

Synthesis of pro-apoptotic indapamide derivatives as anticancer agents

Abstract

4-Chloro-3-({[(substitutedamino)carbonothioyl]amino}sulfonyl)-N-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-yl)benzamide (1–20) and 4-chloro-3-({[3-(substituted)-4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidine-2-ylidene]amino}sulfonyl)-N-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-yl)benzamide derivatives (21–31) were synthesized from 4-chloro-N-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydroindol-1-yl)-3-sulfamoylbenzamide (indapamide). 4-Chloro-3-({[(4-chlorophenyl) amino) carbonothioyl]amino}sulfonyl)-N-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-yl)benzamide 12 demonstrated the highest proapoptotic activity among all synthesized compounds on melanoma cell lines MDA–MB-435 with 3.7% growth inhibition at the concentration of 10?µM. Compound 12 (SGK 266) was evaluated in vitro using the MTT colorimetric method against melanoma cancer cell line MDA–MB435 growth inhibition for different doses and exhibited anticancer activity with IC₅₀ values of 85–95?µM against melanoma cancer cell line MDA–MB435. In addition, this compound was investigated as inhibitors of four physiologically relevant human carbonic anhydrase isoforms, hCA I, II, IX and XII. The compund inhibited these enzymes with IC₅₀ values ranging between 0.72 and 1.60?µM.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 1,3-Oxathiolane 5-Azapyrimidine, 6-Azapyrimidine,and Fluorosubstituted 3-Deazapyrimidine Nucleosides

Abstract

(2R,5S)-5-Amino-2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1]-1,2,4-triazine-3(2H)-one (8) and (2R,5R)-5-amino-2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1]-1,2,4-triazine-3(2H)-one (9) have been synthesized via a multi-step procedure from 6-azauridine. (2R,5S)-4-Amino-1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1]-1,3,5-triazine-2(1H)-one (11) and (2R,5R)-4-amino-1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1]-1,3,5-triazine-2(1H)-one (12), and the fluorosubstituted 3-deazanucleosides (19–24) have been synthesized by the transglycosylation of (2R,5S)-1-{2-[[(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl) oxy]methyl]-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1} cytosine (2) with silylated 5-azacytosine and the corresponding silylated fluorosubstituted 3-deazacytosines, respectively, in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as the catalyst in anhydrous dichloroethane, followed by deprotection of the blocking groups. These compounds were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity against L1210, B₁₆F₁₀, and CCRF-CEM tumor cell lines and for antiviral activity against HIV-1 and HBV.     

DFT study of new bipyrazole derivatives and their potential activity as corrosion inhibitors

In the present work, a theoretical study of five bipyrazolic-type organic compounds, 4-{bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolyl-1-yl)methyl]-amino}phenol (1), N1,N1-bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl}]-N4,N4-dimethyl-1,4-benzenediamine (2), N,N-bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl]aniline (3), 4-[bis(3,5-dimethyl pyrazol-1-yl-methyl)-amino]butan-1-ol (4) and ethyl4-[bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl-methyl) aminobenzoate] (5), has been performed using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level in order to elucidate the different inhibition efficiencies and reactive sites of these compounds as corrosion inhibitors. The efficiencies of corrosion inhibitors and the global chemical reactivity relate to some parameters, such as EHOMO, ELUMO, gap energy (ΔE) and other parameters, including electronegativity (χ), global hardness (η) and the fraction of electrons transferred from the inhibitor molecule to the metallic atom (ΔN). The calculated results are in agreement with the experimental data on the whole. In addition, the local reactivity has been analyzed through the Fukui function and condensed softness indices.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of Novel 2,3-Dihydroxypropyl Nucleosides from 2- and 4-Thiouracils

Regioselective alkylation of 2-thiouracils 1a–c and 4-thiouracils 7a,b with 2,3-O-isopropylidene-2,3-dihydroxypropyl chloride (2) afforded 2-{[(2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl) methyl]thio}pyrimidin-4(1H)-ones 3a–c and 4-{[(2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]thio} pyrimidin-2(1H)-ones 8a,b, respectively. Further alkylation with 2 and/or 2,3-O-isopropylidine-1-O-(4-toluenesulfonyl)-glycerol (4) gave the acyclo N-nucleosides 5a–c and 9a,b whose deprotection afforded 6a–c and 10a,b. 2-(Methylthio)pyrimidin-4(1H)-ones 11a–c and 4-(methylthio)pyrimidin-2(1H)-ones 14a,b were treated with 2 and/or 4 to give 12a–c and 15a,b which were deprotected to give 13a–c and 16a,b. Pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dithiones 17a–c were treated with two equivalents of 2 to give 2,4-bis{[(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl]thio}pyrimidines 18a–c. Deprotection of compounds 18a–c gave 2,4-bis[(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)thio]pyrimidines 19a-c. The activity of the deprotected nucleosides against Hepatitis B virus was evaluated and showed moderate inhibition activity against HBV with mild cytotoxicity.     

Synthesis of 3′-Deoxy-3′ and 5′-Deoxy-5′-[4-(Purin-9-yl/Pyrimidin-1-yl) methyl-1,2,3-Triazol-1-yl]thymidine via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition

Abstract

Synthesis of new 3′-deoxy-3′ and 5′-deoxy-5′-[(4-(purin-9-yl/pyrimidin-1-yl)methyl-1,2,3-Triazol-1-yl]thymidine 8a-g 10a-g from 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5′-O-monomethoxytrityl-thymidine and 5′-azido-5′deoxythymidine respectively are described. The key step is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between the azido group and N-9/N-1-propargylpurine/pyrimidine derivatives.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and in silico modeling of novel pan-genotypic NS5A inhibitors

A series of novel small-molecule pan-genotypic hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitors with picomolar activity containing 2-[(2S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]-5-[4-(4-{2-[(2S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]-1H-imidazol-5-yl}buta-1,3-diyn-1-yl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole core was designed based on molecular modeling study and SAR analysis. The constructed in silico model and docking study provide a deep insight into the binding mode of this type of NS5A inhibitors. Based on the predicted binding interface we have prioritized the most crucial diversity points responsible for improving antiviral activity. The synthesized molecules were tested in a cell-based assay, and compound 1.12 showed an EC₅₀ value in the range of 2.9–34 pM against six genotypes of NS5A HCV, including gT3a, and demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic profile in rats. This lead compound can be considered as an attractive candidate for further clinical evaluation.     

Insights into biological activity of ureidoamides with primaquine and amino acid moieties

Primaquine (PQ) ureidoamides 5a–f were screened for antimicrobial, biofilm eradication and antioxidative activities. Susceptibility of the tested microbial species towards tested compounds showed species- and compound-dependent activity. N-(diphenylmethyl)-2-[({4-[(6-methoxyquinolin-8-yl)amino]pentyl}carbamoyl)amino]-4-methylpentanamide (5a) and 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(diphenylmethyl)-2-[({4-[(6-methoxyquinolin-8-yl)amino]pentyl}carbamoyl)amino]acetamide (5d) showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus strains (MIC?=?6.5?µg/ml). Further, compounds 5c and 5d had weak antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. None of the tested compounds showed a wide spectrum of antifungal activity. In contrast, most of the compounds exerted strong activity in a biofilm eradication assay against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and Candida albicans, comparable to or even higher than gentamycin, amphotericin B or parent PQ. The most active compounds were 5a and 5b. Tested compounds were inactive against biofilm formation by C. parapsylosis, Enterococcus faecalis, C. tropicalis and C. krusei. Compounds 5b–f significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation (80–99%), whereas compound 5c presented interesting LOX inhibition.     

New Phenylpropanoid Glycosides from Illicium majus and Their Radical Scavenging Activities

Chemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the branch and leaves of Illicium majus resulted in the isolation of four new phenylpropanoid glycosides ( 1 – 4 ) and one new phenolic glycoside ( 9 ), along with 13 known ones. Spectroscopic techniques were used to elucidate the structures of the new isolates such as 3-[(2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propyl β-D-glucopyranoside ( 1 ), [(2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]methyl 2-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 2 ), [(2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]methyl 2-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-xylopyranoside ( 3 ), 3-[(2R,3S)-3-({[2-O-(4-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]oxy}methyl)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propyl acetate ( 4 ), and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenyl 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 9 ). Free radical scavenging activities of the isolates were elucidated through the DPPH assay method. The most active compounds, 1-O-caffeoyl-β-D-glucopyranose ( 17 ) and soulieana acid 1 ( 18 ), exhibited moderate radical scavenging activities (IC₅₀=37.7±4.4 μM and IC₅₀=97.2±3.4 μM, respectively). The antibacterial activities of the isolates against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were also assessed, and no activity was shown at the measured concentration (<32 μg/mL).     

Isolation and Photoisomerization of a New Anthraquinone from Hairy Root Cultures of Sesamum indicum

An unstable anthraquinone was isolated from hairy root cultures of Sesamum indicum after preventing light throughout all experimental procedures. The structure of the (Z)-isomer of a previously isolated anthraquinone was determined to be 2-[(Z)-4-methylpenta-1,3-dien-1-yl]anthraquinone by spectroscopic methods. This compound was readily isomerized to the known (E)-isomer under light.     

Antitumor evaluation and molecular docking study of substituted 2-benzylidenebutane-1,3-dione, 2-hydrazonobutane-1,3-dione and trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole analogues

Abstract

A series of 2-(arylidene)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-diones (2–4), 4-(arylidene)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-pyrazoles (5–7), 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4,4-trifluoro-2-(2-(aryl)hydrazono)butane-1,3-diones (8, 9), 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2-(aryl)hydrazono)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-pyrazoles (10, 11), 2-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)malononitrile (13), 2-((5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)cycloalkan-1-ones (14, 15) and 1-(aryl)-3-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-ones (16, 17) were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antitumor activity. 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4,4,4-trifluoro-2-(2-(4-methoxyphenyl)hydrazono)butane-1,3-dione (8) showed potential and broad spectrum antitumor activity compared to the known drug 5-FU with GI₅₀, (6.61 and 22.60 µM), TGI (42.66 and <100?µM) and LC₅₀ (93.33 and <100?µM) values, respectively. On the other hand, compound 8 yielded selective activities toward melanoma, colon, non-small lung and breast cancer cell lines compared with erlotinib and gefitinib. Molecular docking methodology was performed for compound 8 into binding site of B-RAFV600E and EGFR kinases which showed similar binding mode to vemurafenib (PLX4032) and erlotinib, respectively.     

A Novel Imidazole Nucleoside Containing a Diaminodihydro-S-triazine as a Substituent: Inhibitory Activity Against the West Nile Virus NTPase/Helicase

The attempted synthesis of a ring-expanded guanosine (1) containing the imidazo[4,5-e][1,3]diazepine ring system by condensation of 1-(2′-deoxy-β-D-erythropentofuranosyl)-4-ethoxycarbonylimidazole-5-carbaldehyde (2) with guanidine resulted in the formation of an unexpected product, 1-(2′-deoxy-β-D-erythropentofuranosyl)-5-(2,4-diamino-3,6-dihydro-1,3,5-triazin-6-yl)imidazole-4-carboxamide (7). The structure as well as the pathway of formation of 7 was corroborated by isolation of the intermediate, followed by its conversion to the product. Nucleoside 7 showed promising in vitro anti-helicase activity against the West Nile virus NTPase/ helicase with an IC ₅₀ of 3-10 μg/mL.     

Unraveling the stability of plasma proteins upon interaction of synthesized uridine products: biophysical and molecular dynamics approach

Abstract

Most of the drugs binding to human serum albumin (HSA) are transported to various parts of the body. Here, we have studied the molecular interaction between HSA and synthesized uridine derivatives, 1-[(3R, 4S, 5?R)-2-methyl-3, 4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]pyrimidine-2,4-dion.)(C-MU); [(2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)-3,4-dihydroxy-4-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl] methyl methyl phosphochloridate (CM-MU) and [(2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)-2-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl] methyl dihydrogen phosphate (P-MU). Cytotoxic studies of these synthesized compounds with mouse macrophages (RAW 246.7) and HeLa cells (human cervical cancer cells) and binding mechanism of these uridine derivatives with HSA were performed. Subsequently, fluorescence quenching was observed upon titration of uridine derivatives with HSA via static mode of quenching, and the binding constants (K_2-C-MU = 4?±?0.03?×?10⁴M^?1, K_5-CM-MU = 1.95?±?0.03?×?10⁴ M^?1 and K_5-P-MU =1.56?±?0.03?×?10⁴ M^?1) were found to be in sync with the computational results. Further, molecular displacement and molecular docking data revealed that all the derivatives are binding in the subdomain IIA and IIB regions of HSA. The protein secondary structure of complexes was determined by circular dichroism, indicating partial unfolding of the protein upon addition of the uridine derivatives. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy data reveal the change in topology upon binding of 2-C-MU, 5-CM-MU and 5-P-MU with HSA, indicating change in the microenvironment around tryptophan region. Additionally, cytotoxicity studies on HeLa and Raw Cell lines suggested that these molecules have significant anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, the study may be of help for development of new drugs based on uridine derivatives which may be helpful for combating various potential diseases.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Synthesis of 2- (and 6-) -dithian-2-yluracil nucleosides and their conversion into nucleoside derivatives

Addition of 2,2′-anhydro-[1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-trityl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil] (1) to excess 2-litho-1,3-dithiane (2)in oxolane at ?78° gave 2-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-1-(5-O-trityl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-4(1H)pyrimidinone (3), O²,2′-anhydro-5,6-di-hydro-6-(S)-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-5′-O-trityluridine (4), and 2-(1,4-dihydroxybutyl)-1,3-dithiane (5) in yields of 15, 30, and 10% respectively. The structure of 3 was proved by its hydrolysis in acid to give 2-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-4-pyrimidinone (6) and arabinose, and by desulfurization with Raney nickel to yield the known 2-methyl-1-(5-O-trityl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-4(1H)-pyrimidinone (7). Detritylation of 3 without glycosidic cleavage could only be effected by prior acetylation to 1-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-5-O-trityl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-4(1H)-pyrimidinone (8) which, after treatment with acetic acid at room temperature for 65 h followed by the action of sodium methoxide gave 2-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-4(1H)-pyrimidinone (10) in 45% yield. Detritylation of 4 in boiling acetic acid gave 5,6-dihydro-6-(S)-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (12) and 3-[(S)-1-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)]propionamido-(1,2-dideoxy-β-D-arabinofurano)-[1,2-d]-2-oxazolidinone (13) in 10 and 90% yields, respectively. When 12 was kept in water or methanol for 7 days, quantitative conversion into 13 occurred. Acid hydrolysis of 12 afforded arabinose and 5,6-di-hydro-6-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)uracil (14), which was desulfurized with Raney nickel to the known 5,6-dihydro-6-methyluracil (15). Treatment of 13 with trifluoroacetic anhydride-pyridine yielded 77% of the cyano derivative 17. Similar dehydration of 3-(R)-1-methylpropionamido-(1,2-dideoxy-β-D-arabinofurano)-[1,2-d]-2-oxalidinone (18), obtained by desulfurization of 13, gave 60% of the nitrile 19. Hydrogenation of 19 over platinum oxide in acetic anhydride gave the acetamide derivative 20 in 95% yield. Nitrobenzoylation of 13 gave 3-[(S)-1-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)]cyanomethyl-3,5-di-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-(1,2-dideoxy-β-D-arabinofurano)-[1,2-d]-2-oxazolidinone (22), which was converted in 37% yield by treatment with methyl iodide in dimethyl sulfoxide into the aldehyde 24, characterized as the semicarbazone 25. The purification of 5 and its characterization as 2-(1,4-di-O-p-nitrobenzoylbutyl)-1,3-dithiane (27) is described.     

Syntheses of 1-[(2-Hydroxyethoxy)methyl]- and 1-[(1,3-Dihydroxy-2-Propoxy)methyl]- Derivatives of 5-Substituted-2,4-difluorobenzene: Unnatural Acyclo Thymidine Mimics for Evaluation as Anticancer and Antiviral Agents

Abstract

A group of 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]- (12) and 1-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]- (13) derivatives of 2,4-difluorobenzene possessing a variety of C-5 substituents (R = Me, H, I, NO₂) were designed with the expectation that they may serve as acyclic 5-substituted-2′-deoxyuridine (thymidine) mimics. Compounds 12 and 13 (R = Me, H, I) were inactive as anticancer agents (C₅₀ = 10^?3 to 10^?4 M range), whereas the 5-nitro compounds (12d, 13d) exhibited weak-to-moderate cytotoxicity (CC₅₀ = 10^?5 to 10^?6 M range) against a variety of cancer cell lines. All compounds prepared (12a-d, 13a-d) were inactive as antiviral agents in a broad-spectrum antiviral screen that also included the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 and HIV-2) and herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2).