Four isomeric methoxy substituted DCK analogues (3-6) were asymmetrica
lly synthesized from different starting materials. hoxy-3',4'-di-O-(-)
-camphanoyl-(+)-cis-khellactone (5) exhibited extremely potent anti-HI
V activity against HIV-1 replication in H9 lymphocyte cells with EC50
and therapeutic index values of 0.00038 mu M and >402,632, respectivel
y, which are better than those of DCK and AZT in this assay. (C) 1997
Elsevier Science Ltd.