Thymidine- and AZT-linked 5-(1,3-dioxoalkyl)tetrazoles and 4-(1,3-dioxoalkyl)-1,2,3-triazoles

N3 of thymidine and of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) has been linked to a tetrazole ring by condensation of nucleoside-derived 2-oxonitriles with the lithium salt of 5-acetyl-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)tetrazole (obtained by a ‘click’ reaction). 4-Acetyl-1,2,3-triazole, also prepared by a Cu-catalysed cycloaddition, has been similarly linked. A route for the conjugation of NRTIs with pharmacophoric elements of integrase inhibitors (INIs) has thus been disclosed.