Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel anomeric branched carbocyclic nucleosides

Novel anomeric branched carbocyclic nucleosides were synthesized from 1,3-dihydroxy acetone. 4'-Hydroxymethyl was installed by [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement reaction and 1'-methyl group was introduced by carbonyl addition of methylmagnesium bromide. The coupling of nucleosidic bases and desilylation afforded a series of novel nucleosides. The synthesized compounds 16-19 were evaluated for their antiviral activity against HIV-1, HSV-1, HSV-2, and EMCV. Compounds 16 and 19 exhibit toxicity non-related to any anti-HIV-1 activity.