Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of l-β-3′-C-cyano-2′,3′-unsaturated nucleosides and l-3′-C-cyano-3′-deoxyribonucleosides

An efficient synthetic method was developed for l-β-3′-C-cyano-2′,3′-unsaturated nucleosides and l-3′-C-cyano-3′-deoxyribonucleosides. The key intermediate was obtained from l-xylose, from which a series of pyrimidine and purine nucleosides were prepared in high yield by the coupling of and various silyl-protected bases in the presence of TMSOTf. These nucleosides were eliminated, followed by deprotecting to give l-β-3′-C-cyano-2′,3′-unsaturated nucleosides. When selectively deprotected by hydrazine hydrate in buffered acetic acid–pyridine followed by treatment with potassium carbonate in methanol, l-3′-C-cyano-3′-deoxyribonucleosides were obtained. The synthesized nucleosides were tested for anti-HIV activity.