title: Improved synthesis and in vitro antiviral activities of 5-cyanouridine and 5-cyano-2'-deoxyuridine.
abstract: In order to evaluate the influence of the cyano group on the antiviral activity of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides, a moderate yield, unified approach to the synthesis of both 5-cyanouridine and 5-cyano-2'-deoxyuridine was developed. Thus, treatment of the appropriate acetylated 5-bromouracil nucleoside with NaCN or KCN in Me2SO at 90-110 degrees C gave, after deblocking, 35-45% yields of the corresponding 5-cyanouracil nucleosides. 5-Cyanouridine was devoid of significant activity against vaccinia virus, herpes simplex-1, and vesicular stomatitis virus, but 5-cyano-2'-deoxyuridine, while lacking activity against herpes simplex, showed significant inhibition of vaccina virus; for instance, 5-cyano-2'-deoxyuridine inhibited vaccinia virus replication at concentrations 10-20 times that required for inhibition by the known antivirals, 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine and 1-(beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)adenine. Replacement of the 5-halogeno substituents of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides thus decreases, but does not abolish, antiviral activity.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002460:Cell Line; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D003857:Deoxyuridine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D011817:Rabbits; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000187:drug effects; D014529:Uridine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003857:Deoxyuridine; D014529:Uridine