Synthesis and evaluation of 5′-modified 2′-deoxyadenosine analogues as anti-hepatitis C virus agents

In order to study the effect of 5′-modification of 2′-deoxynucleoside on its anti-HCV activity, several analogues were synthesized and evaluated. Among the analogues, a 5′-deoxy-5′-phenacylated analogue exhibited a good anti-HCV activity with an EC50 of 15.1 μM. This compound is expected to operate via a type of mechanism that does not involve a generally known 5′-O-triphosphorylation process.