The protecting-group free selective 3'-functionalization of nucleosides

Synthesis and Evaluation of Some Uracil Nucleosides as Promising Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Agents

Since herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is so widespread, several antiviral drugs have been developed to treat it, among which are uracil nucleosides. However, there are major problems with the current medications such as severe side-effects and drug resistance. Here we present some newly synthesized cyclic and acyclic uracil nucleosides that showed very promising activity against HSV-1 compared to acyclovir.

Addressing regio- and stereo-specificity challenges in the synthesis of nucleoside 2',3'-cyclic monophosphate analogs - a rapid and facile synthesis of nucleoside-2',3'-O,O-phosphoro-thioate or -selenoate, and elucidation of the origin of the rare specificity

A new facile, rapid, stereo- and regio-selective one-pot synthesis of nucleoside-2',3'-O,O-phosphorothioate and selenoate analogs has been developed. This method avoids the need for protection strategies and chiral reagents, chiral metal catalysts, or chiral separations. This synthetic method has been applied to all natural nucleosides (U/A/G/C/T). Furthermore, we have deciphered the origin of the stereo- and regio-selectivity of the reaction.

Treating a Global Health Crisis with a Dose of Synthetic Chemistry

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has prompted scientists from many disciplines to work collaboratively toward an effective response. As academic synthetic chemists, we examine how best to contribute to this ongoing effort.

Two single-enantiomer amidophosphoesters: a database study on the chirality of (O)2P(O)(N)-based structures

The crystal structures of two single-enantiomer amidophosphoesters with an (O)₂P(O)(N) skeleton, i.e. diphenyl [(R)-(+)-α-methylbenzylamido]phosphate, (I), and diphenyl [(S)-(-)-α-methylbenzylamido]phosphate, (II), both C₂₀H₂₀NO₃P, are reported. In both structures, chiral one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded architectures, along [010], are mediated by N-H...OP interactions. The statistically identical assemblies include the noncentrosymmetric graph-set motif C(4) and the compounds crystallize in the chiral space group P2₁. As a result of synergistic co-operation from C-H...O interactions, a two-dimensional superstructure is built including a noncentrosymmetric R₄⁴(22) hydrogen-bonded motif. A Cambridge Structural Database survey was performed on (O)₂P(O)(N)-based structures in order to review the frequency of space groups observed in this family of compounds; the hydrogen-bond motifs in structures with chiral space groups and the types of groups inducing chirality are discussed. The ^2,3J_X-P (X = H or C) coupling constants from the NMR spectra of (I) and (II) have been studied. In each compound, the two diastereotopic C₆H₅O groups are different, which is reflected in the different chemical shifts and some coupling constants.

Computational prediction of chemical reactions: current status and outlook

Over the past few decades, various computational methods have become increasingly important for discovering and developing novel drugs. Computational prediction of chemical reactions is a key part of an efficient drug discovery process. In this review, we discuss important parts of this field, with a focus on utilizing reaction data to build predictive models, the existing programs for synthesis prediction, and usage of quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) to explore chemical reactions. We also outline potential future developments with an emphasis on pre-competitive collaboration opportunities.

A multifunctional catalyst that stereoselectively assembles prodrugs

The catalytic stereoselective synthesis of compounds with chiral phosphorus centers remains an unsolved problem. State-of-the-art methods rely on resolution or stoichiometric chiral auxiliaries. Phosphoramidate prodrugs are a critical component of pronucleotide (ProTide) therapies used in the treatment of viral disease and cancer. Here we describe the development of a catalytic stereoselective method for the installation of phosphorus-stereogenic phosphoramidates to nucleosides through a dynamic stereoselective process. Detailed mechanistic studies and computational modeling led to the rational design of a multifunctional catalyst that enables stereoselectivity as high as 99:1.