Synthesis of 3′-azido-4′-ethynyl-3′,5′-dideoxy-5′-norarabinouridine: a new anti-HIV nucleoside analogue

3′-Azido-4′-ethynyl-3′,5′dideoxy-5′-norarabinouridine 10 was synthesized from commercial uridine 1 in which the key step is the opening of protected 2′,3′-epoxyuridine derivative 7 by sodium azide and the hydroxymethyl at 4-position of the ribose ring are replaced by ethynyl group.