ENANTIOSELECTIVE ENZYMATIC-SYNTHESIS OF THE ANTIVIRAL AGENT LAMIVUDINE (3TC(TM))

A novel enzymatic resolution of alpha-acetoxysulfides has been used as the key step in the synthesis of the important antiviral nucleoside a nalogue lamivudine. The synthesis proceeds via a configurationally sta ble hemithioacetal which cyclises in situ to form the required oxathio lane nucleus, which can then be converted into the target nucleoside i n 4 steps.