A new class of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates: synthesis and biological activity of 9-[[(phosphonomethyl)aziridin-1-yl]methyl]guanine (PMAMG) and analogues

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Acyclic Nucleosides and Their Therapeutic Applications

DNA is commonly known as the "molecule of life" because it holds the genetic instructions for all living organisms on Earth. The utilization of modified nucleosides holds the potential to transform the management of a wide range of human illnesses. Modified nucleosides and their role directly led to the 2023 Nobel prize. Acyclic nucleosides, due to their distinctive physiochemical and biological characteristics, rank among the most adaptable modified nucleosides in the field of medicinal chemistry. Acyclic nucleosides are more resistant to chemical and biological deterioration, and their adaptable acyclic structure makes it possible for them to interact with various enzymes. A phosphonate group, which is linked via an aliphatic functionality to a purine or a pyrimidine base, distinguishes acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) from other nucleotide analogs. Acyclic nucleosides and their derivatives have demonstrated various biological activities such as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, etc. Ganciclovir, Famciclovir, and Penciclovir are the acyclic nucleoside-based drugs approved by FDA for the treatment of various diseases. Thus, acyclic nucleosides are extremely useful for generating a variety of unique bioactive chemicals. Their biological activities as well as selectivity is significantly influenced by the stereochemistry of the acyclic nucleosides because chiral acyclic nucleosides have drawn a lot of interest due to their intriguing biological functions and potential as medicines. For example, tenofovir's (R) enantiomer is roughly 50 times more potent against HIV than its (S) counterpart. We can confidently state, "The most promising developments are yet to come in the realm of acyclic nucleosides!" Herein, we have covered the most current developments in the field of chemical synthesis and therapeutic applications of acyclic nucleosides based upon our continued interest and activity in this field since mid-1990's.

Synthesis of N-methylene phosphonate aziridines: reaction scope and mechanistic insights

Treatment of N-carbamoyl aziridines by the diethyl phosphite anion affords either α-methylene-phosphonate or gem-bisphosphonate derivatives containing an aziridine motif depending on the nature of the base used.

Synthesis, conformational studies, and biological properties of phosphonomethoxyethyl derivatives of nucleobases with a locked conformation via a pyrrolidine ring

Systematic structure-activity studies on a diverse family of nucleoside phosphonic acids has led to the development of potent antiviral drugs such as HPMPC (CidofovirTM), PMEA (AdefovirTM), and PMPA (TenofovirTM), which are used in the treatment of CMV-induced retinitis, hepatitis B, and HIV, respectively. Here, we present the synthesis of a novel class of acyclic phosphonate nucleotides that have a locked conformation via a pyrrolidine ring. NMR analysis of these compounds revealed that the pyrrolidine ring has a constrained conformation when in the cis-form at pD < 10 via hydrogen bonding. Four of these compounds were tested as inhibitors of the human and Plasmodium falciparum 6-oxopurine phosphoribosyltransferases. The most potent has a Ki of 0.6 μM for Plasmodium falciparum HGXPRT.

Synthesis and antiviral properties of aza-analogues of acyclovir

Aza-analogues of Acyclovir were obtained from N-(2-pivaloyloxyethyl)-N-(pivaloyloxymethyl)-p-toluenesulfonamide via a one-pot base silylation/nucleoside coupling procedure. The antiviral activities of all aza-nucleosides in vitro against a variety of viruses were evaluated. None of these compounds displayed any specific antiviral effects.