The [3.2.0]bicyclic beta -nucleoside analogue 5 has been designed as a conf
ormationally restricted analogue of the anti-HIV drug AZT. The synthesis of
5 as well as its a-anomer 29 is hereby described. The synthesis was accomp
lished from D-arabinose via a modified Corey-Link procedure stereoselective
ly incorporating the azide moiety as well as a methyl ester function. When
the tert-butyldiphenylsilyl group was used as a permanent protecting group,
a selective formation of an oxetane ring failed. When using the p-methoxyp
henyl group as a permanent protecting group, 5 and 29 were efficiently obta
ined via a selective reduction of the ester, a nucleobase coupling followed
by separation of the anomers and ring-closing procedures. The nucleoside 5
is conformationally restricted in an unusual O4 ' -endo (East) conformatio
n, which is an intermediate between the North-and South-type conformations.
Nevertheless, neither 5 nor 29 displayed any anti-HIV activity.