2′-and/or 3Y-Deoxy-β-L-pentofuranosyl Nucleoside Derivatives: Stereospecific Synthesis and Antiviral Activities

Abstract

Several L-enantiomers of nucleoside analogues were stereospecifically synthesized by a multi-step reaction from L-xylose and their antiviral properties were examined in vitro. Two of them, namely β-L-2′,3,′-dideoxycytidine (β-L-ddC) and its 5-fluoro derivative (β-L-FddC) were found to have potent anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and significant anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activities in cell cultures.