Synthesis and antiviral activities of 5-substituted 1-(2-deoxy-2-C-methylene-4-thio-beta-D-ertythro-pentofuranosyl)uracils.

Various 5-substituted 1-(2-deoxy-2-C-methylene-4-thio-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)uracils (4'-thioDMDUs) were synthesized from D-glucose via sila-Pummerer-type glycosylation. All of the beta-anomers of 5-substituted 4'-thioDMDU, except the 5-hydroxyethyl derivative, showed potent anti-HSV-1 activity (ED50 = 0.016-0.096 microgram/mL). 5-Ethyl- and 5-iodo-4'-thioDMDUs were also active against HSV-2 (ED50 = 0.17 and 0.86 microgram/mL, respectively). 5-Bromovinyl-4'-thioDMDU was particularly active against VZV (ED50 = 0.013 microgram/mL).