Synthesis of 2′-β-C-methyl-neplanocin derivatives as anti-HCV agents

The synthesis of 2′-β-C-methyl-neplanocin derivatives is described. The key intermediate cyclopentenyl alcohol 12 is prepared from sugar 5 in 12 steps. Coupling of 12 with appropriately protected purine, 7-deaza pyrimidine, uracil and pyrimidine bases via the Mitsunobu reaction followed by deprotection afforded the target cyclopentenyl nucleosides (18-23, 27). The synthesized compounds were evaluated as potential inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in vitro. Unfortunately, none of them show anti-HCV activity below EC50 100 μM.

The synthesis of 2′-β-C-methyl-neplanocin derivatives is described.