Synthesis of Novel 2′-Fluoro-3′-Hydroxymethyl-5′-Deoxythreosyl Phosphonic Acid Nucleoside Analogues As Antiviral Agents

Abstract

A series of purine 5′-deoxyphosphonate analogues were designed and synthesized to mimic naturally occurring purine monophosphate from 1,3-dihydroxyacetone as starting material. The discovery of threosyl phosphonate nucleoside (PMDTA, EC50 = 2.53 μM) as a potent anti-HIV agent has led to the synthesis and biological evaluation of 2′,3′-modified 5′-deoxyversions of the threosyl phosphonate nucleosides. The synthesized 2′-fluoro-3′-hydroxymethyl 5′-deoxythreosyl phosphonic acid nucleoside analogues 14, 18, 23, and 27 were tested for anti-HIV activity as well as cytotoxicity. The adenine analogue 18 exhibits weak in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity (EC50 = 19.2 μM).