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β-l-5-(( E )-2-Bromovinyl)-1-((2 S ,4 S )-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-(dioxolane-4-yl) uracil (l-BHDU, 17 ) is a potent and selective inhibitor of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). l-BHDU ( 17 ) has demonstrated excellent anti -VZV activity and is a preclinical candidate to treat chickenpox, shingles (herpes zoster), and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infections. Its monophosphate prodrug (POM-l-BHDU-MP, 24 ) demonstrated an enhanced pharmacokinetic and antiviral profile. POM-l-BHDU-MP ( 24 ), in vivo , effectively reduced the VZV viral load and was effective for the topical treatment of VZV and HSV-1 infections. Therefore, a viable synthetic procedure for developing POM-l-BHDU-MP ( 24 ) is needed. In this article, an efficient approach for the synthesis of l-BHDU ( 17 ) from a readily available starting material is described in 7 steps. An efficient and practical methodology for both chiral pure l- & d-dioxolane 11 and 13 were developed via diastereomeric chiral amine salt formation. Neutralization of the amine carboxylate salt of l-dioxolane 10 provides enantiomerically pure l-dioxane 11 (ee ≥ 99%). Optically pure 11 was utilized to construct the final nucleoside l-BHDU ( 17 ) and its monophosphate ester prodrug (POM-l-BHDU-MP, 24 ). Notably, the reported process eliminates expensive chiral chromatography for the synthesis of chiral pure l- & d-dioxolane, which offers avenues for the development and structure-activity relationship studies of l- & d-dioxolane-derived nucleosides.

The FDA has approved several drugs based on the fluorinated nucleoside pharmacophore, and numerous drugs are currently in clinical trials. Fluorine-containing nucleos(t)ides offer significant antiviral and anticancer activity. The insertion of a fluorine atom, either in the base or sugar of nucleos(t)ides, alters its electronic and steric parameters and transforms the lipophilicity, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic properties of these moieties. The fluorine atom restricts the oxidative metabolism of drugs and provides enzymatic metabolic stability towards the glycosidic bond of the nucleos(t)ide. The incorporation of fluorine also demonstrates additional hydrogen bonding interactions in receptors with enhanced biological profiles. The present article discusses the synthetic methodology and antiviral activities of FDA-approved drugs and ongoing fluoro-containing nucleos(t)ide drug candidates in clinical trials.

Synthesis of 1-((4  R ,5 S ,6 R ,7 R )-5,6-dihydroxy-7-(hydroxymethyl)spiro[2.4]heptan-4-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione ( 12 ) and its phosphoramidate prodrug 18 is reported. The synthesis of the targeted compound 12 was initiated from triol 1 . By the introduction of a substituent methylene group at 6-position of 4 , followed by Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation and amination, key intermediate 10 was synthesized. The intermediate amine 10 was utilized to synthesize the nucleoside 12 . Furthermore, the nucleoside 12 was derivatized to 2'- α -hydroxy-2'- β -methyl ( 23 ) and 2'- α -fluoro-2'- β -methyl ( 27 ) analogs. All synthesized derivatives of spiro-cyclopropyl carbocyclic uridine analogs 12 , 18 , 23 and 27 were evaluated for anti-HCV activity, but none of the compounds, reported in this article show any anti-HCV activity.

2'-Fluoro-6'-methylene-carbocyclic adenosine (FMCA, 12) and its phosphoramidate prodrug (FMCAP, 14) have been proven as a potential anti-HBV agent against both adefovir-resistant as well as lamivudine-resistant double (rtL180M/rtM204V) mutants. Furthermore, in vitro, these agents have demonstrated significant activity against lamivudine/entecavir triple mutants (L180M + S202G + M204V). These preliminary results encourage us for further biological evaluation of FMCA and FMCAP to develop as a potential clinical candidate as an anti-HBV agent, which may overcome the problem of drug resistance in HBV therapy. To support the preclinical exploration, a scalable synthesis of this molecule was needed. In this communication, a practical and scalable synthesis of FMCA, and its prodrug, is reported via ketone 1. The selective opening of the isopropylidene group of 2 led to compound 3. Protection of the allylic hydroxyl group of 3, followed by fluorination and deprotection, afforded the key intermediate 10, which was condensed with a Boc-protected adenine, followed by deprotection, furnished the target nucleoside FMCA (12) in high yield. Further coupling of phosphorochloridate of L-alanine isopropyl ester (13) with FMCA gave its phosphoramidate prodrug FMCAP (14) in good yield.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Currently, clinically approved nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) are very efficient in reducing the load of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with minimum side effects. However, the long-term administration of antiviral drugs promotes HBV for potential drug resistance. To overcome this problem, combination therapies are administered, but HBV progressively altered mutations remain a threat. Therefore, optimally designed NAs are urgently needed to treat drug-resistant HBV. Herein, 2'-fluoro-6'-methylene carbocyclic adenosine (FMCA) and its phosphoramidate (FMCAP) have been discovered, which may be utilized in combination therapies for curing drug-resistant chronic hepatitis B. In preclinical studies, these carbocyclic NAs demonstrated potential anti-HBV activity against adefovir, as well as lamivudine (LMV/LAM) drug-resistant mutants. In vitro, these molecules have demonstrated significant activity against LMV/entecavir (ETV) triple mutants (L180M + S202G + M204V). Also, preliminary studies of FMCA/FMCAP in chimeric mice and female Non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mouse models having the LMV/ETV triple mutant have shown a high rate of reduction of HBV DNA levels compared to ETV. In this review, we have summarized preclinical studies of FMCA and its phosphoramidate prodrug (FMCAP)., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Novel 2'-fluoro-6'-methylene-carbocyclic adenosine (FMCA) monophosphate prodrug (FMCAP) was synthesized and evaluated for its in vitro anti-HBV potency against a lamivudine-entecavir resistant clone (L180M+M204V+S202G). FMCA demonstrated significant antiviral activity against wild-type as well as lamivudine-entecavir resistant triple mutant (L180M+M204V+S202G). The monophosphate prodrug (FMCAP) demonstrated greater than 12-fold (12×) increase in anti-HBV activity without increased cellular toxicity. Mitochondrial and cellular toxicity studies of FMCA indicated that there is no significant toxicity up to 100 μM. Mode of action studies by molecular modeling indicate that the 2'-fluoro moiety by hydrogen bond as well as the Van der Waals interaction of the carbocyclic ring with the phenylalanine moiety of the polymerase promote the positive binding, even in the drug-resistant mutants., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Due to the slow kinetics of viral clearance and the spontaneous genetic variability of hepatitis B virus (HBV), antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B remains a clinical challenge. Entecavir (S.10; a 2'-deoxy carbocyclic guanosine analog with an exo-cyclic double bond on the 5'-position; Fig. 14.7.1) has been approved in the U.S. for the therapy of chronic hepatitis B. Entecavir is synthesized from D-ribose via a key allylic alcohol (S.3) intermediate. This intermediate is also utilized to synthesize entecavir-modified carbocyclic nucleosides S.13, S.15, S.19, and S.22., (© 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

Novel 2'-fluoro-6'-methylene-carbocyclic adenosine (9) was synthesized and evaluated its anti-HBV activity. The titled compound demonstrated significant antiviral activity against wild-type as well as lamivudine, adefovir and double lamivudine/entecavir resistant mutants. Molecular modeling study indicate that the 2'-fluoro moiety by a hydrogen bond, as well as the van der Waals interaction of the carbocyclic ring with the phenylalanine moiety of the polymerase promote the positive binding, even in the drug resistant mutants., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The 4′ position modifications in carbocyclic nucleosides have not been investigated much as potential antiviral agents. Due to the higher ring strain and torsion of the cyclopentyl carbocyclic ring, it is not easy to carry out the modification at the 4′ position. Therefore, there is a need for a procedure that may tackle the synthesis of 4′ position substituted carbocyclic pentyl ring. In this communication, a stereoselective synthesis of 4′‐α‐fluoro‐methyl carbocyclic nucleosides has been reported. A stereoselective synthesis of the 4‐α‐fluoro‐methyl carbocyclic sugar moiety (16) was carried out via carbocyclic ketone 1. The oxidation of the 5‐methyl hydroxy of 9 followed by the aldol condensation gave a diol 11, which via selective protection followed by selective fluorination, yielded a MOM‐protected 4‐α‐fluoro‐methyl carbocyclic ring (16). Compound 16 served as a key intermediate for the synthesis of purines (21&24) and pyrimidine (28&31) nucleosides. The described synthesis may be utilized to construct the various 4′ position modified carbocyclic nucleos(t)ides for an elaborated structure‐activity relationship (SAR) as an antiviral and anticancer agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]