Anti-varicella-zoster virus bicyclic nucleosides: replacement of furo by pyrro base reduces antiviral potency

We have recently reported the discovery of an entirely new category of pote nt antiviral agents based on novel deoxynucleoside analogues with unusual f luorescent bicyclic furo base moieties. To probe structure-activity relatio nships and to seek to optimize the properties of the lead compounds, we pre pared pyrro analogues of the furo systems. We herein report the synthesis, characterization and antiviral evaluation of these novel compounds.