Nucleoside derivatives as inhibitors of rna-dependent rna viral polymerase

Technical field

The present invention relates to nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof, to their synthesis and to their use as inhibitors of RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase. The compounds of the present invention are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication and are useful in the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection. They are particularly useful as inhibitors of NS5B-polymerase of hepatitis C virus (HCV), as inhibitors of HCV replication and for the treatment of hepatitis (viral liver inflammation) infection type C.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem leading to chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, in a significant number of infected individuals, estimated to be 2 to 15% of the world's population. In the United States alone, an estimated 4.5 million infected people are estimated by US Center for Disease Control. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 200 million infected individuals worldwide, with 3-4 million people infected each year. After infection, approximately 20% of people disappear, but survive in the other HCVs in the liver. 10 to 20% of chronically infected individuals eventually develop cirrhosis or liver-destroying cancer. Viral disease is transmitted parenterally by infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles or sexually as well as vertically from infected mothers or carrier mothers to the fetus. Current treatments for HCV infection, which are limited to immunotherapy with recombinant interferon alpha, either alone or in combination with the nucleoside analogue ribavirin, have limited clinical effect. In addition, there are no vaccines against HCV. For these reasons, it is urgent

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0001.tif" />

need to provide improved therapeutic agents for the effective treatment of chronic HCV infection.

The prior art regarding the treatment of HCV infection has been summarized in the following publications, which may be incorporated by reference: B. Dymock et al.: Novel approaches to the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, Antiviral Chemistry &amp; Chemotherapy 11, 79-96, 2000 ; H. Rosen et al., Hepatitis C virus: current understanding and prospects for future therapies, Molecular Medicine Today 5, 393-399, 1999; D. Moradpour et al.: Current and Evolving Therapies for Hepatitis C, European J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol 11, 1189-1202, 1999; R. Bartenschlager: Candidate Targets for Hepatitis C Virus-Specific Antiviral Therapy, Intervirology 40, 378-393, 1997; GM Lauer and BD Walker: Hepatitis C Virus Infection, N. Engl. J. Med. 345, 41-52 (2001);

BW Dymock: Emerging Therapies for Hepatitis C Virus Infection, Emerging Drugs 6, 13-42, 2001; and C. Crabb: Hard-Won Advances Spark Excitement About Hepatitis C, Science 506-507, 2001. The contents of these publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Various approaches have been used to treat HCV infections, including inhibition of viral serine proteinase (NS3 protease), helicase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B), as well as vaccine development.

Virion HCV is an encapsulated RNA strand RNA having a single oligoribonucleotide genome sequence of approximately 9600 bases that encodes a polyprotein of approximately 3,010 amino acids. The protein product of the HCV gene consists of the structural proteins C, E1 and E2 and the nonstructural proteins NS2, NS3, NS4A and NS4B, and NS5A and NS5B. Non-structural (NS) proteins appear to provide a catalytic machinery for viral replication. The NS3 protease releases NS5B, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from the polyprotein chain. HCV NS5B polymerase is required for synthesis • ·

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0002.tif" />

double-stranded RNA from a single-stranded viral RNA that serves as a template in the HCV replication cycle. Thus, NS5B polymerase is considered to be a key component of the HCV replication complex (see K. Ishi et al.: Expression of Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Protein: Characterization of Its RNA Polymerase Activity and RNA Binding, Hepatology 29, 1227-1235, 1999 and V. Lohmann co-authors,

Biochemical and Kinetic Analyzes of NS5B RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase of the Hepatitis C Virus, Virology 249: 108-118 (1998). Inhibition of NS5B HCV polymerase prevents the formation of HCV double-stranded RNA and is therefore an attractive approach to the development of HCV-specific antiviral therapy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that the nucleoside compounds of the present invention and certain derivatives thereof are potent inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication, and in particular, HCV replication. The triphosphate derivatives of these nucleoside compounds are inhibitors of RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase, and in particular NS5B polymerase HCV. The present nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof are useful in the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA-virus infection, and in particular HCV infection.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof, which are useful as inhibitors of RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase and in particular as inhibitors of NS5B polymerase HCV.

Another object of the present invention is to provide nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof, which are useful as inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA virus replication and in particular as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus replication.

• ·

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0003.tif" />

It is a further object of the present invention to provide nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof, which are suitable for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA-virus infection and in particular for the treatment of HCV infection.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds of the present invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds of the present invention for use as inhibitors of RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase, and in particular as inhibitors of NS5B polymerase HCV.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds of the present invention for use as inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication and in particular as inhibitors of HCV replication.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds of the present invention for use in the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA-virus infection, and in particular for the treatment of HCV infection.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds of the present invention in combination with other agents effective against RNA-dependent RNA virus, and in particular against HCV.

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0004.tif" />

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of inhibiting RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase and, in particular, inhibiting NS5B polymerase HCV.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of treating RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection, and in particular treating HCV infection.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of treating RNA-dependent RNA-virus infection in combination with other agents effective against RNA-dependent RNA virus, and in particular treating HCV infection in combination with other agents effective against HCV.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for use as medicaments for inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication and / or for treating RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection and in particular for inhibiting HCV replication and and / or for the treatment of HCV infection.

It is a further object of the present invention to use the nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof of the present invention as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication and / or for treating RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection and in particular for inhibiting HCV replication and / or treating HCV infection.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description that follows.

The present invention relates to compounds of structural formula I having the following stereochemistry:

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0005.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0006.tif" />

(O or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

wherein R¹ is C₂.₄alkenyl, C₂.₄ alkynyl or C 1-6 alkynyl;_V4 alkyl, wherein alkyl is either unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, amino, C 1-6 alkyl_V4 alkoxy, C_V4 alkylthio, or 1-3 fluoro atoms;

R² is hydrogen, fluorine, hydroxy, mercapto, CV4 alkoxy, or CV4 alkyl; or R¹ and R² together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a 3-6 membered saturated monocyclic ring system, optionally containing a heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur and NCO₄ alkyl;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, azido, halogen, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, C 1-4 alkoxy, C₂.₄alkenyl, C₂.₄alkynyl; and C₁.₄alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, amino, C 1-6 alkyl₁.₄alkoxy, C_V4alkylthio or 1-3 fluorine atoms;

R⁵ is a hydrogen atom, C₁.₁₀alkylcarbonyl, P₃O₉H₄, P₂O₆H₃ or P (O) R¹³R¹⁴;

- 7 R⁶ and R⁷ each independently is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a hydroxymethyl group or a fluoromethyl group;

R⁸ is a hydrogen atom, C₁.₄alkyl, C₂.₄alkynyl, halogen atom, cyano, carboxy, C₁.₄alkyloxycarbonyl, azido, amino, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl;₁.₄alkylamino, diC 1-6 alkylamino, hydroxy, C 1-6 alkylamino;₆alkoxy, C 1-6 alkylthio, C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl, (C 1-6 alkyl)₀.₂aminomethyl or C₄.₆cycloheteroalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 2 groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁.₄alkyl and C 1-4 alkoxy;

R⁹ is hydrogen, cyano, nitro, C 13 alkyl, NHCONH 2, CONR¹²R¹², CSNR¹²R¹², COOR¹²C (= NH) NH2, hydroxy, C1-4alkoxy, amino,

C 1-4 alkylamino, C 1 -C 6 alkyl-amino, halogen, (1,3-oxazol-2-yl), (1,3-thiazol-2-yl), or (imidazol-2-yl); wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 3 groups independently selected from halogen, amino, hydroxy, carboxy and₃ alkoxy;

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 1-6 alkyl group;₁.₄alkoxy, amino,

C₁_₄alkylamino, di (C 1-6)₁.₄alkyl) amino;₃.₆cycloalkylamino, di (C₃.₆cycloalkyl) amino;₄.₆cycloheteroalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 2 groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁.₄alkyl and C 1-4 alkoxy;

each R¹²is independently hydrogen or C₁.₆alkyl; and

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0007.tif" />

- 8 R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each independently hydroxy, OCH₂CH₂SC (.dbd.O) C₁.₄alkyl, OCH₂O (C = O) OC₁.₄alkyl, NHCHMeCO 2 Me (where Me = methyl), OCH₂(C₁.₄alkyl) O (C = O) C 1-4 alkyl,

O (CH₂)₉CH₃ or OCO (CH₂)₁₄CH₃ .

with the proviso that if R¹ is β-methyl and R⁴ is hydrogen or R⁴is β-methyl and R¹ R is hydrogen² and R³ are α-hydroxy, R¹⁰ is amino and R is⁵, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹¹ are hydrogen, then R is⁹ is not a cyano or CONH group₂.

The compounds of formula I are useful as inhibitors of RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase and in particular NS5B HCV polymerase. They are also inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication, and particularly HCV replication. They are suitable for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection and in particular for the treatment of HCV infection.

Also included within the scope of the present invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds alone or in combination with other agents that are active against RNA-dependent RNA virus, and in particular HCV, as well as methods of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication and methods of treating RNA-dependent RNA-viral infections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds of structural formula I having the following stereochemistry:

·· ····

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0008.tif" />

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

wherein R¹ is C₂.₄alkenyl, C₂.₄ alkynyl or C 1-6 alkynyl;_V4 alkyl, wherein alkyl is either unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, amino, C 1-6 alkyl_V4 alkoxy, C_V4 alkylthio, or 1-3 fluoro atoms;

R² is hydrogen, fluorine, hydroxy, mercapto, C 1-4 alkoxy, or C 1-4 alkyl; or R¹ and R² together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a 3-6 membered saturated monocyclic ring system, optionally containing a heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur and NCO.₄ alkyl;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, azido, halogen, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, C₁.₄alkoxy, C₂.₄alkenyl, C₂.₄alkynyl; and C₁.₄alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, amino, C 1-6 alkyl₁.₄alkoxy, C_V4alkylthio or 1-3 fluorine atoms;

R⁵ is a hydrogen atom, C₁.₁₀alkylcarbonyl, P₃O_GH₄, P₂O₆H₃ or P (O) R¹³R¹⁴;

- 10 ·· ····

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0009.tif" />

R⁶ and R⁷ each independently is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a hydroxymethyl group or a fluoromethyl group;

R⁸ is hydrogen, C 1-4 alkyl, C 1-4 alkyl₂.₄alkynyl, halogen atom, cyano, carboxy, C 1-6 alkyl;₄alkyloxycarbonyl, azido, amino, C 1-6 alkyloxycarbonyl;₁.₄alkylamino, di (C 1-6)₁.₄alkyl1) amino, hydroxy, C 1-6 alkyl;₁.₆alkoxy, alkylthio,

C 1-6 alkylsulfonyl group, (C 1-6 alkyl)_V4 alkyl)₀.₂aminomethyl or C₄.₆cycloheteroalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 2 groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁.₄alkyl and C 1-6 alkyl₁.₄alkoxy;

R⁹ is hydrogen, cyano, nitro, C 1-3 alkyl, NHCONH 2, CONR¹²R¹², CSNR¹²R¹², COOR¹²C (= NH) NH2, hydroxy, C₁.₃alkoxy, amino, C 1-4 alkylamino, difC 1-4 alkyl amino, halogen, (1,3-oxazol-2-yl), (1,3-thiazol-2-yl), or (imidazol-2-yl); wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 3 groups independently selected from halogen, amino, hydroxy, carboxy, and 0-3 alkoxy;

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, C 1-4 alkoxy, amino, C₁_₄alkylamino, di (C 1-6)₁.₄alkyl) amino_: C₃.₆cycloalkylamino, di (C 1-6)₃.₆cycloalkyl) amino;₄.₆cycloheteroalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 2 groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁.₄alkyl and C 1-6 alkyl₁.₄alkoxy;

each R¹²is independently hydrogen or C1-6alkyl.₆alkyl; and

• · • ··· • · ·· ····

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0010.tif" />

R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each independently hydroxy, OCH₂CH₂SC (.dbd.O) C₁_₄alkyl, OCH₂O (C = O) OC₁.₄alkyl, NHCHMeCO 2 Me) where Me = methyl), OCH₂(C₁.₄alkyl) O (C = O) C₄.₄alkyl,

Ao '^/^ r^/S (CH₂) r_lC^H3 ^r

O (CH₂)₉CH₃^or° OCO (CH₂)₁₄CH₃ .

with the proviso that if R¹ is β-methyl and R⁴ is hydrogen or R⁴is β-methyl and R¹ R is hydrogen² and R³ are α-hydroxy, R¹⁰ is amino and R is⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^with and R¹¹ are hydrogen, then R is⁹ is not a cyano or CONH group₂.

Compounds of formula I are useful as inhibitors of RNA-dependent viral RNA-polymerase are also inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication and are useful in the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection.

In one embodiment, the compounds of Structural Formula I are compounds of Structural Formula II:

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0011.tif" />

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

where R¹ is C₁.₃alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, amino, C 1-4 alkoxy, C₁.₃alkylthio or 1-3 fluorine atoms;

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0012.tif" />

- 12 ·· ·· • · · • · ··· • · · · ·

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0013.tif" />

• 9 · • · · • · · • · · · • · ·· ·· ····

R² is hydroxy, fluoro or C₁.₃alkoxy;

R³ is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, amino or C₁.₃alkoxy;

R⁵ is a hydrogen atom, P₃O₉H₄, P₂O₆H₃ or PO₃H₂;

R⁸ is hydrogen, amino or C₁.₄alkylamino;

R⁹ is hydrogen, cyano, methyl, halogen or CONH₂; and

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a C 1-4 alkylamino group, a di (C₁.₄alkyl) amino or C 1-6 alkyl₃.₆cycloalkylamino;

with the proviso that if R¹ is β-methyl, R² and R³ are α-hydroxy groups;¹⁰ is amino and R is⁵, R⁸ and R¹¹ are hydrogen, then R is⁹ is not a cyano or CONH group₂.

In a second embodiment of compounds of structural formula I, compounds of structural formula II are provided wherein:

R¹ is methyl, fluoromethyl, hydroxymethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl or aminomethyl;

R² is hydroxy, fluoro or methoxy;

R³ is a hydrogen atom, a fluoro group, a hydroxy group, an amino group or a methoxy group;

R⁵is hydrogen or P₃O₉H₄;

R⁸is hydrogen or amino;

R⁹ is hydrogen, cyano, methyl, halogen or CONH₂; and

R¹° and R¹¹ each independently is a hydrogen atom, a fluoro group, a hydroxy group or an amino group;

With the proviso that if R¹ is β-methyl, R² and R³ are c-hydroxy groups, R @ 1¹⁰ is amino and R is⁵, R⁸ and R¹¹ are hydrogen, then R is⁹ is not a cyano or CONH group₂.

Illustrative but not limiting examples of compounds of the present invention of structural formula I that are useful as inhibitors of RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase are the following:

4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-arbinofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

4-methylamino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine,

4-dimethylamino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

4-Cyclopropylpylamino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7,7-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-7- (2-C-vinyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-7- (2-C-hydroxymethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-cf] pyrimidine,

4-amino-7- (2-C-fluoromethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-5-methyl-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-bofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid,

4-amino-5-bromo-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine,

4-amino-5-chloro-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine,

4-amino-5-fluoro-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0014.tif" />

- 14 • · • · • · · • · ··· • · · • · · · • · · · · ·· ···· • · · · • · · · • · · · · • · · · · ·· ··

2,4-diamino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-trifluorophenyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine 2-amino-7 - (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine, 2-amino-4-cyclopropylamino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) - 7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine,

2-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- b] pyrimidin-4 (3H) -one,

4-Amino-7- (2-C-ethyl-PD-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine;

4-amino-7- (2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidin-4 (3H) -one,

2-amino-5-methyl-7- (2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-7- (3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-a] pyrimidine,

4-amino-7- (3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl) -7,7-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-2-fluoro-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-7- (3-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine, 4-amino-7- (3-C-methyl-β-D-xylofuranosyl) -7] N-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine, 4-amino-7- (2,4-di-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine, and

4-amino-7- (3-deoxy-3-fluoro-2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine; and the corresponding 5'-triphosphates;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another illustration of the present invention are compounds selected from the group consisting of:

4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-arabinofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

- 15 4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-7- (2-C-fluoromethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-5-methyl-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-5-bromo-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine,

4-amino-5-chloro-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine,

4-amino-5-fluoro-7- (2-N-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine, and

4-amino-7- (2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine, and the corresponding 5'-triphosphates;

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such compounds.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the nucleoside compounds of the invention are useful as viral RNA polymerase inhibitors, dependent on positive single-stranded RNA, inhibitors of RNA-viral replication dependent on positive (encoding) single-stranded RNA and / or for treatment of RNA - virus infections dependent on single stranded RNA (coding). In the class of this embodiment, the positive single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA virus is Flaviviridae virus or Picornaviridae virus. In a subclass of that class, the Picornaviridae virus is a rinovirus, a poliovirus, or a hepatitis A virus. In a second subclass of said class, the Flaviviridae virus is selected from the group consisting of hepatitis C virus, yellow fever virus, dengue virus, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Banzi virus, and bovine diarrhea virus, BVDV. . In a subclass of this subclass, the Flaviviridae virus is hepatitis C virus.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of inhibiting RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase, a method of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication, and / or a method of treating RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection in a mammal in need thereof, comprising administering therapeutically effective. an amount of a compound of structural formula I to such a mammal.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase is a positive single-stranded RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase. In the class of this embodiment, the positive single-stranded RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase is a flaviviridal viral polymerase or a picornaviridal viral polymerase.

In a subclass of this class, the picornaviridal viral polymerase is rhinovirus polymerase, poliovirus polymerase, or hepatitis A virus polymerase.

In the second subclass of this class, the flaviviridal viral polymerase is selected from the group consisting of hepatitis C virus polymerase, yellow fever polymerase, dengue virus polymerase, West Nile virus polymerase, Japanese encephalitis virus polymerase, Banzi virus polymerase and bovine viral diarrhea (diarrhea) polymerase ( BVDV). In a subclass of this subclass, the viral flaviviridal polymerase is the hepatitis C virus polymerase.

In a second embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication is a positive single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication. In the class of this embodiment, the positive single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication is flaviviridal viral replication or picornaviridal viral replication. In a subclass of this class, the picornaviridal viral replication is rhinovirus replication, poliovirus replication or hepatitis A virus replication. In the second subclass of this class, the flaviviridal viral replication is selected from the group consisting of hepatitis C virus replication, yellow fever replication, dengue virus replication, West Nile virus replication, virus replication

- 17 ·· ·· ···· • · · • · ··· • · · · · • · · · ·· ·· • ·· ······ · • · · · · · ······ 9

9 9 9 9 9 9

999 99 99 99 Japanese encephalitis, Banzi virus replication and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) replication. In a subclass of this subclass, the flaviviridal viral replication is the replication of the hepatitis C virus.

In a third embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the RNA-dependent RNA-virus infection is a positive single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA-virus infection. In the class of this embodiment, a positive single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection is a flaviviridal viral infection or a picornaviridal viral infection. In a subclass of this class, the picornaviridal viral infection is rhinovirus infection, poliovirus infection or hepatitis A virus infection. In the second subclass of this class, the flaviviridal viral infection is selected from the group consisting of hepatitis C virus infection, yellow fever infection, dengue virus infection, West Nile virus infection, Japanese encephalitis virus infection, Banzi virus infection and bovine diarrhea virus infection (BVDV) . In a subclass of this subclass, the flaviviridal viral infection is a hepatitis C virus infection.

In the present application, the following terms have the following meanings:

The above-mentioned alkyl groups include those alkyl groups having the indicated length in either straight or branched chain configuration. Examples of such alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, secondary butyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl and the like.

The term alkenyl should refer to straight or branched chain alkenes consisting of a total of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within the range (e.g., ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, and the like).

- 18 • · · ·

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0015.tif" />

The term cycloalkyl should refer to cyclic rings of alkanes of a total of 3 to 8 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within the range (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl).

The term cycloheteroalkyl includes non-aromatic heterocycles containing one or two heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Examples of 4-6 membered cycloheteroalkyls include azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, piperazinyl and the like.

The term alkoxyl refers to straight or branched chain alkoxides of a specified number of carbon atoms (e.g.₁.₄alkoxy), or any number of carbon atoms falling within said range [i.e. methoxyl (MeO-), ethoxyl, isopropoxyl and the like].

The term alkylthio refers to straight or branched chain alkyl sulfides having the aforementioned number of carbon atoms (e.g.₄alkylthio) or any number of carbon atoms that fall within said range [i.e. methylthio (MeS-), ethylthio, isopropyl and the like].

The term alkylamino refers to straight or branched chain alkylamines having the aforementioned number of carbon atoms (e.g., a C 1-4 alkylamino group), or any number of carbon atoms falling within said range [i.e. methylamino, ethylamino, isopropylamino, t-butylamino and the like].

The term alkylsulfonyl refers to straight or branched chain alkylsulfones of the above number of carbon atoms (e.g., CL ₆alkylsulfonyl, or any number of carbon atoms,

- 19 • ·

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0016.tif" />

falling within said range [i.e. methylsulfonyl (MeSO₂ethylsulfonyl, isopropylsulfonyl and the like].

The term alkyloxycarbonyl refers to straight or branched chain esters of the carboxylic acid derivatives of the present invention having the above-mentioned number of carbon atoms (e.g.₁.₄alkyloxycarbonyl), or any number of carbon atoms falling within said range [i.e. methoxycarbonyl (MeOCO-), ethyloxycarbonyl or butyloxycarbonyl].

The term aryl includes phenyl, naphthyl and pyridyl. The aryl group is optionally substituted with one to three groups independently selected from C₁_₄alkyl, halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl,₁.₄alkoxy; and C₁.₄alkylthio.

The term halogen includes halogen atoms of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

The term substituted should be understood to include multiple degrees of substitution by said substituent. When multiple substituent particles are presented or claimed, the substituted compound may be independently substituted via one or more of the present or claimed substituent particles, single or multiple.

The term 5'-triphosphate refers to an ester derivative of triphosphoric acid linked to the 5'-hydroxyl group of the nucleoside compound of the present invention having the following general structural formula III:

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0017.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0018.tif" />

wherein R is¹ to R¹¹ are as defined above. The compounds of the present invention are also contemplated to include pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the triphosphate ester, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the 5'-monophosphate and 5'-diphosphate ester derivatives of Structural Formulas IV and V:

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0019.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0020.tif" />

The term 5 '- (S-acyl-2-thioethyl) phosphate or SATE refers to the monoester or diester derivative of the 5'-monophosphate nucleoside derivative of the present invention of structural formulas VI and VII, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the monoester.

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0021.tif" />

O

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0022.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0023.tif" />

The term composition, as in the term pharmaceutical composition, is used to include a product comprising the active ingredient (s) and the inert ingredient (s) which form the carrier, as well as any product resulting directly or indirectly from the combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients, or the result of dissociation of one or more of the ingredients, or of other types of reactions or interactions of one or more of the ingredients. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include any composition formed by admixing a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The term administration of a compound should be understood as a method of providing a compound of the invention, or a precursor of a compound of the invention, to an individual in need thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention pertains to a method of inhibiting HCV NS5B polymerase, inhibiting HCV replication, or treating a HCV infection with a compound of the present invention in combination with one or more agents suitable for treating HCV infection. Such agents that are active against HCV include, but are not limited to, ribavirin, levovirin, viramidine, thymosin α-1, interferon-α, interferon and with polyethylene glycol (PEG-interferon-α), a combination of interferon α and ribavirin, a combination of PEG- interferon-α and ribavirin,

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0024.tif" />

a combination of interferon α and levovirin and a combination of PEG-interferon-α. and levovirin.

Interferon-α includes, but is not limited to, recombinant interferon-α2a (such as Roferon interferon, available from Hoffmann-LaRoche, Nutley, NJ), PEG-interferon-α2a (Pegasys ™), interferon-α2b (such as interferon Intron-A, available from Schering Corp., Kenilworth, NJ), PEG-interferon-α2b (Peglntron ™), recombinant consensus interferon (such as interferon alphacon-1) and purified interferon-cc product.

Amgen's recombinant consensus interferon has the brand name Infergen®. Levovirine is the L-enantiomer of ribavirin, which showed similar immunomodulatory activity to ribavirin. Viramidine is a ribavirin analog presented in WO 01/60 379 (ICN Pharmaceuticals).

According to the method of the present invention, the individual components of the combination may be administered separately at different times, or concurrently, in separate forms or as a single combination during treatment. Thus, the present invention should be construed as encompassing all such concomitant or alternate treatment regimens and accordingly the term administration should be interpreted. It will be appreciated that the range of combinations of compounds of this invention with other agents useful in the treatment of HCV infection includes, in principle, any combination with any pharmaceutical composition for treating HCV infection.

When a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is used in combination with a second therapeutic agent effective against HCV, the dose of each compound may either be the same as if the compound is used alone or may be different.

O 3

- 23 in&gt; 9 3 O © 3 5

3 © 3 0

O 7 © 7

3 0 3&gt; ».» O

O

O

3 0

O 3 3. About ·

3 · 'O o: · o »

For the treatment of HCV infection, the compounds of the present invention may also be administered in combination with an agent that is an N3S serine protease inhibitor of HCV. N3S serine protease HCV is an important viral enzyme and has been described as an excellent target for inhibiting HCV replication. Both substrate-based N3S protease inhibitors and other compound-based inhibitors are described in WO 98/22 496, WO 98/46 630, WO 99/07 733, WO 99/07 734, WO 99/38 888, WO 99/50 230, WO 99/64 442, WO 00/09 543, WO 00/59 929 and GB-2 337 262. N3S HCV protease as a target for the development of inhibitors of HCV replication and for the treatment of HCV infection is discussed in BW Dymocka, Emerging therapies for hepatitis C virus infection, Emerging Drugs 6: 13-42, 2001.

Ribavirin, levovirin and viramidine may exert their effects on HCV by modulating the intracellular pools (pools) of guanine nucleotides by inhibiting the intracellular enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). IMPDH is an enzyme that limits the rate of de novo biosynthesis of guanine nucleotides. Ribavarin is readily phosphorylated intracellularly and the monophosphate derivative is an IMPDH inhibitor. Thus, inhibition of IMPDH is another useful target for the discovery of inhibitors of HCV replication. Thus, the compounds of the present invention may be administered in combination with an IMPDH inhibitor such as VX-497, which is disclosed in WO 97/41 211 and in WO 01/00 622 (Vertex); with another IMPDH inhibitor such as that disclosed in WO 00/25 780 (Bristol-Myers Squibb); or with mycophenolate mofetil (see AC Allison and EM Eugui, Agents Action 44 (supplement), 165, 1993).

For the treatment of HCV infection, the compounds of the present invention can also be administered in combination with the antiviral agent amantadine (1-aminoadamantane) (for a complete description of this agent, see J. Kirschbaum, Anal. Profile Drug Sub; 12, 1-36). , 1983). rr- 24 -

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0025.tif" />

The term pharmaceutically acceptable means that the carrier, diluent, or excipient must be compatible with the other ingredients in the composition and must not be harmful to the recipient of such composition.

Also encompassed by the present invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof of the present invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another example of this invention is a pharmaceutical composition made by combining any of the compounds described above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another illustration of the invention is a method of making a pharmaceutical composition comprising a combination of any of the compounds described above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Also included in the present invention are pharmaceutical compositions suitable for inhibiting RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase, and in particular NS5B HCV polymerase, comprising an effective amount of a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection, and in particular HCV infection, are also included in the present invention, as well as a method of inhibiting RNA-dependent viral RNA polymerase and especially NS5B polymerase HCV, as well as a method for treating RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication, especially HCV replication. In addition, the present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of another agent effective against an RNA-dependent RNA virus and in particular against HCV.

Agents active against HCV include, but are not limited to ribavirin, levovirin, viramidine, thymosin α-1, HCV NS3 serine protease inhibitor, interferon-α, PEG-linked interferon-α (PEG-interferon-α), including

- 25 a combination of interferon-α and ribavirin, a combination of PEG-interferon-α and ribavirin, a combination of interferon-α and levovirin, and a combination of PEG-interferon-α and levovirin. Interferon-α includes, but is not limited to, recombinant interferon-α2a (such as interferon Roferon, available from Hoffmann-LaRoche, Nutley, NJ), interferon-α2b (such as interferon Intron-A, available from Schering Corp., Kenilworth, NJ), PEG interferon-α2b (Peglntron ™) recombinant consensus interferon, and purified interferon-α product. For a discussion of ribavirin and its activity against HCV, see JO Saunders and SA Raybuck, Inosine Therapeutic Potential, Ann. Rep. Copper. Chem. 35, 201-210, 2000.

Another aspect of the present invention provides the use of nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing them for the manufacture of a medicament for inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication, particularly HCV replication, and / or for treating RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection, particularly HCV infection. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides nucleoside compounds, derivatives thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing them, for use as a medicament for inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA-viral replication, particularly HCV replication, and / or for treating RNA-dependent RNA-viral infection, and in particular HCV infection.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise as an active ingredient a compound of structural formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such a compound, and may also contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally other therapeutic ingredients.

Such compositions include those suitable for oral, rectal, topical, parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular and

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0026.tif" />

intravenous administration), ocular (ophthalmic), pulmonary (nasal or oral inhalation), or nasal administration, although the most appropriate route of administration in any given case will depend on the nature and severity of the condition being treated and the nature of the active ingredient. These can be. preferably present in unit dosage form and may conveniently be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy.

In practice, the compounds of Structural Formula I * may be combined as an active ingredient in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. The carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration, for example, oral or parenteral (including intravenous). Any conventional pharmaceutical media (vehicle), such as water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavors, preservatives, colorants, may be used in the preparation of oral dosage forms for liquid oral formulations such as suspensions, elixirs and solutions. etc; and in the case of solid oral compositions such as powders, hard and soft capsules and tablets, carriers such as starches, sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants (glidants), binders, disintegrating agents (disintegrating agents) and similarly, wherein solid oral compositions are preferred over liquid compositions.

Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case

usually use solid pharmaceutical carriers. If desired, tablets may be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueous techniques. Such compositions and preparations should contain at least 0.1% of the active compound. However, the percentage of active compound in such compositions may vary and preferably may be about 2% to 60% by weight of the dosage unit. Quantity active

- 27 ··

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0027.tif" />

The compound in such therapeutically preferred compositions is such that an effective dosage will be obtained. The active compounds may also be administered intranasally, such as liquid drops or sprays.

The tablets, pills, capsules, and the like may also contain a binder such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; additives such as calcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate and a sweetener such as sucrose, lactose or saccharin. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to material of the above type, a liquid carrier such as an oil.

Various other materials may be present as coating agents or substances modifying the physical form of the dosage unit. For example, tablets may be coated with shellac, sugar, or both. A syrup or medicinal beverage may contain, in addition to the active ingredient, a sweetening agent such as sucrose, preservatives such as methylparaben and propylparaben, as well as coloring and flavoring agents such as cherry or orange flavor.

The compounds of structural formula I may also be administered parenterally. Solutions or suspensions of these active compounds can be prepared in water suitably mixed with a surfactant such as hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions may also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols and mixtures of such substances in oils. Under normal conditions of storage and use, such formulations also contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

Pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the current preparation

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0028.tif" />

sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. In all cases, the form must be sterile and must be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol), suitable mixtures of such materials, and vegetable oils.

Any suitable route of administration may be used to provide an effective dose of a compound of the present invention to a mammal, and particularly a human. Thus, for example, oral, rectal, topical, parenteral, ocular, pulmonary, nasal, and the like may be used. Dosage forms include tablets, lozenges, dispersions, suspensions, solutions, capsules, creams, ointments, aerosols and the like. Preferably, the compounds of structural formula I are administered orally

The dosage range for oral administration in humans ranges from 0.01 to 1000 mg / kg body weight in divided doses. In one embodiment, the dosage range is from 0.1 to 100 mg / kg body weight in divided doses. In another embodiment, the dosage range is from 0.5 to 20 mg / kg body weight in divided doses. For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form of tablets or capsules containing 1.0 to 1000 mg of active ingredient, especially 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 800, 900, 1000 mg of active ingredient for symptomatic dose adjustment in the treated patient.

The effective dosage of active agent employed may vary depending upon the particular compound employed, the mode of administration, the condition being treated and the severity of the condition being treated. Such a dose can be easily

- 29 44 44 · ·· ·· 4444

4 4 44 4 4 ·· · • · ··· · · · · · · • · 4 ·· ·· · · · · ·

4444 444 4444

4 No. 4,444,444,444 is determined by one skilled in the art. The dosage regimen may be adjusted to provide an optimal treatment response.

The compounds of the present invention contain one or more of the asymmetric centers and may therefore exist as racemates, racemic mixtures, separate enantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures, and as individual diastereomers. The present invention is intended to include nucleoside compounds having the stereochemical configuration of the five-membered furanose ring β-D as depicted in the structural formula below. That is, they are nucleoside compounds whose substituents on the carbon at position 1 and position 4 (C-1 and C-4) of the five-membered furanose ring have a β-stereochemical configuration (upper orientation as shown in bold line).

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0029.tif" />

Some of the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds and are intended to include geometric E and Z isomers unless otherwise specified.

Some of the compounds described herein may exist as tautomers, such as keto-enol tautomers. Compounds of structural formula I include both individual tautomers and mixtures thereof. An example of keto-enol tautomers belonging to a compound of the present invention is given below:

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0030.tif" />

The compounds of structural formula I may be resolved into their respective individual diastereoisomers, for example, by traction crystallization from a suitable solvent such as methanol or ethyl acetate or a mixture of both, or by chiral chromatography using optically active stationary phases.

Alternatively, any stereoisomer of a compound of structural formula I may be obtained by stereospecific synthesis using optically pure starting materials or reagents of known configuration.

The stereochemistry of the substituents at the C-2 and C-3 positions of the furanose ring of the compounds of the present invention of structural formula I is illustrated by wavy lines indicating that the R substituents¹, R², R³ and R⁴ they may have either the a (lower substituent) or β (upper substituent) configuration independently of each other. The bold-line stereochemistry as in the C-1 and C-4 positions of the furanose ring indicates that the substituent is of the β (upper substituent) configuration.

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0031.tif" />

(0

<td></td><td> • ·</td><td> • ·</td><td> •</td><td> ··</td><td> • ·</td><td></td><td> • ·· ·</td>

<td> •</td><td> •</td><td>Φ</td><td> • · ·</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td>

<td> •</td><td> •</td><td> ···</td><td> • ·</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td>

<td> •</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> •</td><td> • • ·</td><td> • · • ·</td><td> • · • · ·</td><td> • • ·</td><td> • ··</td><td> •</td><td> • · • ·</td>

The compounds of the present invention may be administered in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The term pharmaceutically acceptable salt refers to salts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases or acids, including inorganic or organic bases and inorganic or organic acids. Salts of basic compounds which are encompassed by the term pharmaceutically acceptable salt refer to non-toxic salts of the compounds of the present invention, which are generally prepared by reacting the free base with a suitable organic or inorganic acid.

Representative salts of the basic compounds of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following salts: acetate, benzenesuonate, benzoate, bicarbonate, hydrogen sulphate, hydrogen tartrate, borate, bromide, camsylate, carbonate, chloride, clavulanate, citrate, dihydrochloride, edetate (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid salt), edisylate, estolate, gluconate, esylate, folate glutamate, glycollylarsanilate, hexylresorcinate, hydrabamine, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroxynaphthoate, iodide, isothionate, lactate, lactobionate, laurate, malate, maleate, mandelate, mesylate, methylbromide, methylnitrate, methylsulfate, mucate, napsylate, nitrate (nitrate), ammonium salt of N-methylglucamine, oleate, oxalate, pamoate (embonate), palmitate, panthotenate, phosphate / diphosphate, polygalacturonate, salicylate, stearate, sulfate (sulfate), basic acetate, succinate tannate, tartrate (tartrate), theoclate, tosylate, triethyl iodide and valerate. Furthermore, when the compounds of the present invention contain an acidic particle, suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such compounds include, but are not limited to, salts derived from inorganic bases such as aluminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganese, manganese, potassium , sodium, zinc and the like salts. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium salts.

Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, of cyclic amines, of cyclic amines. 4 · 4 ·· 4 4 amines and basic ion-exchange resins such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, Ν, d-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethylpiperidine, N-ethyl piperidine , glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamine and the like.

Where carboxylic acid groups (-COOH) or alcohol groups are present in the compounds of the present invention, pharmaceutically acceptable esters of carboxylic acid derivatives, such as methyl, ethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl or acyl derivatives of alcohols, such as the like, may also be used. acetate or maleate. Included are those esters and acyl groups known in the art for modifying solubility or hydrolytic characteristics for use as sustained release formulations or as precursors.

Preparation of nucleoside compounds and derivatives of the invention

The nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof of the present invention can be prepared by the following synthetic procedures, which are well known and used in the chemistry of nucleosides and nucleotides. A description of the synthetic methods used to produce the compounds of the present invention can be found in reference: Chemistry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides, published by LB Townsend, Volume 1-3, Plenum Press, 1988, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A representative general process for the preparation of the compounds of the present invention is shown below in Scheme 1. This scheme illustrates the synthesis of compounds of the present invention.

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0032.tif" />

Structural Formula 1-7, wherein the furanose ring has a β-D-ribo configuration. The starting material is a 3,5-bis-O-protected alkylfuranoside, such as methylfuranoside, of structural formula I-1. The hydroxyl group at the C-2 position is then oxidized with a suitable oxidizing agent such as chromium oxide or chromium reagent, Dess-Martin periodinane, or Swern oxidation to give the C-2 ketone of structural formula 1-2. Addition of a Grignard reagent such as an alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl magnesium halide (e.g., methylMgBr, ethylMgBr, vinylMgBr, allylMgBr, ethynylMgBr) or an alkyl-, alkenyl- or alkyllithium such as methyllithium to the carbonyl double bond of compound 1-2. a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and the like, provides a C-2 tertiary alcohol of structural formula 1-3. Well-released groups (such as Cl, Br and I) are then introduced into the (anomeric) position of the C-1 furanose sugar derivative by treating the furanoside of formula 1-3 with hydrogen halide in a suitable organic solvent, such as hydrogen bromide in acetic acid, to obtaining the furanosil halide 1-4 as an intermediate. C-1 sulfonate, such as methanesulfonate (MeSO), can be used as a suitable releasable moiety in a subsequent reaction in which a glycoside (nucleoside) bond is formed.₂O-), trifluoromethanesulfonate (CF₃SO₂O-), or p-toluenesulfonate (-OTs). The nucleoside linkage is formed by treating an intermediate of structural formula I-4 with a metal salt (such as a lithium, sodium, or potassium salt) of an appropriately substituted 1/7-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine I-5 as a suitably substituted 4-halo- Β-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine, which may be formed in situ (topically) by treatment with an alkali hydride (such as sodium hydride), an alkali hydroxide (such as potassium hydroxide), an alkali carbonate (such as potassium carbonate) or an alkaline hexamethyldisilazide (such as NaHMDS) in a suitable anhydrous organic solvent such as acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or Ν, Ν-dimethylformamide (DMF). The displacement reaction can be catalyzed using

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0033.tif" />

a phase transfer catalyst such as TDA-1 or triethylbenzylammonium chloride in a two-phase system (solid-liquid or liquid-liquid). Optional protecting groups in the protected nucleoside of Structural Formula 1-6 are then cleaved by known deprotection procedures such as those described by TW Green and PGM Wuts in: Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3rd Edition, edited by John Wiley &amp; amp; 1999. Optionally introducing an amino group at the 4-position of the pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine nucleus is accomplished by treating the 4-halo intermediate 1-6 with an appropriate amine, such as an alcoholic ammonia solution or liquid ammonia, to form the primary amine at C-4 (-NH)₂), an alkylamine to form a secondary amine (-NHR), or a dialkylamine to form a tertiary amine (-NRR ').

The 7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidin-4 (3H) -one compound can be obtained by hydrolyzing compound 1-6 with an aqueous base, such as aqueous sodium hydroxide. Alcoholysis (such as methanolysis) of Compound I-6 provides a C-4 alkoxide (-OR), while treatment with an alkyl mercaptide provides a C-4 alkylthio (-SR) derivative.

Subsequent chemical treatments well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of organic / medical chemistry may also be required to obtain the desired compounds of the present invention.

Scheme 1

Pgo-A / O

PgO OH 1-1 • OR

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0034.tif" />

(X = Cl, Br, or I)

Pg = protecting group R = lower alkyl

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0035.tif" />

Scheme 1 (continued)

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0036.tif" />

X = CI, Br, or I ^pOH 1-4 ^ρ9 ° Α /^ονχ ^HX

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0037.tif" />

X = Cl, Br, or I

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0038.tif" />

1-6

1. removing Pg —--&gt;

2. optional X rep. R^w

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0039.tif" />

The examples below provide literature references that contain details of the preparation of the final compounds or intermediates used in the manufacture of the final compounds of the present invention. The nucleoside compounds of the present invention are made by the methods described in detail in the following examples. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way and should not be construed as such.

One skilled in the art of nucleoside and nucleotide synthesis will readily appreciate that known variations of the conditions and methods of the following preparative procedures can be used to prepare these and other compounds of the present invention. Unless otherwise stated, all temperature data is in degrees Celsius.

- 36 • ·

<td></td><td> • ·</td><td> • · ·</td><td></td><td> • ·</td><td> • · · ·</td>

<td> •</td><td> •</td><td> * · ·</td><td> •</td><td> • ·</td><td> •</td>

<td> •</td><td> • · ·</td><td> • ·</td><td> •</td><td> • ·</td><td> •</td>

<td> •</td><td> • · • ·</td><td> • · • · · · ·</td><td> •</td><td> • · ··</td><td> • · • ·</td>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Example 1

4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-arabinofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0040.tif" />

To chromium trioxide (1.57 g, 1.57 mmol) in dichloromethane (DCM) (TO mL) at 0 ° C was added acetic anhydride (145 mg, 141 mmol) followed by pyridine (245 mg, 3.10 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 15 minutes and then a solution of 7- [3,5-O- [1,1,3,3-tetrakis (1-methyl-ethyl) -1,3-disiloxanediyl] -3-D-ribofuranosyl] was added. -7 / 7-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidin-4-amine (see J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105, 4059, 1983) (508 mg, 1.00 mmol) in DCM (dichloromethane) ( 3 ml). The resulting solution was stirred for 2 hours and then poured into ethyl acetate (10 mL) and then filtered through silica gel using ethyl acetate as eluent. The combined filtrates were evaporated under vacuum, taken up in diethyl ether / tetrahydrofuran (THF) (1: 1, 20 mL), cooled to -78 ° C, and then methylmagnesium bromide (3 mol.l -1) was added dropwise.¹, in THF) (3.30 mL, 10 mmol). The mixture was stirred at -78 ° C for 10 minutes, then allowed to warm to room temperature and quenched with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (10 mL) and extracted with DCM (20 mL).

The organic phase was evaporated under vacuum and the crude product was purified on silica gel using 5% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum. The resulting oil was taken up in THF (5 mL) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) on silica (1.1 mmol / g on silica) (156 mg) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, then filtered and evaporated under vacuum. The crude product was purified on silica gel using 10% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired compound (49 mg) as a colorless solid.

¹1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6)?₆): δ 1.08 (s, 3H), 3.67 (m, 2H), 3.74 (m, 1H), 3.83 (m, 1H), 5.19 (m, 1H), 5, 23 (m, 1H), 5.48 (m, 1H), 6.08 (s, 1H), 6.50 (m, 1H), 6.93 (bs, 2H), 7.33 (m 1 H, 8.02 (s, 1 H).

Example 2

4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0041.tif" />

Step A:

3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -1-O-methyl-α-ribofuranose

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0042.tif" />

A mixture of 2-O-acetyl-3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -1-O-methyl-α-D-ribofuranose (for preparation see Helv. Chim. Acta 78, 486, 1995) (52) (4 g, 0.10 mol) in methanol solution K₂WHAT₃ (500 mL, saturated at room temperature) was stirred at room temperature for 45 minutes and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The oily residue was suspended in CH₂WHOSE₂ (500 mL), washed with water (600 mL + 5 x 200 mL) and brine (200 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give the title compound (49.0 g) as a colorless oil which was used without further purification in step B, see below.

Ή NMR (DMSO-b₆): δ 3.28 (s, 3H, OCH₃3.5, (d, 2H, J)₅₄= 4.5 Hz, H-5a, H-5b), 3.72 (dd, 1H, J)₃₄= 3.6 Hz, J₃₂= 6.6 Hz, H-3), 3.99 (ddd, 3H, J)₂₁= 4.5 Hz, J_2OH.₂= 9.6 Hz, H-2), 4.07 (m, 1H, H-4), 4.50 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.52, 4.60 (2d, 2H, J)_gem = 13.6 Hz, CH₂Ph), 4.54 (d, 1H, OH-2), 4.75 (d, 1H, H-1), 7.32-7.45, 7.52-7.57 (2m, 10H, 2Ph) ).

¹³C NMR (DMSO-d 6)?₆): δ 55.40; 69.05; 69.74; 71.29; 72.02; 78.41; 81.45; 103.44; 127.83; 127.95; 129.05; 129.28; 131.27; 131.30; 133.22; 133.26; 133.55; 133.67; 135.45; 135.92.

Step B: 3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -1-O-methyl-cis-D-erythro-pentofuranos-2-ulose

To an ice-cold suspension of Dess-Martin periodinane (50.0 g, 118 mmol) in anhydrous CH₂WHOSE₂ (350 mL) was added dropwise a solution of the compound of Step A (36.2 g, 75 mmol) in anhydrous CH under argon over 30 min.₂WHOSE₂ (200 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 ° C for 30 minutes and then at room temperature for 3 days. The mixture was diluted with anhydrous ethyl acetate (Et₂(600 ml) and poured into an ice cold Na mixture₂WITH₂O₃.5H₂O (180 g) in saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (1400 mL). After separation of the layers, the organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous bicarbonate

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0043.tif" />

sodium (600 mL), water (800 mL) and brine (600 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to give the title compound (34.2 g) as a colorless oil which was used without further purification in step C, see below.

@ 1 H NMR (CDCl3)₃): δ 3.50 (s, 3H, OCH₃3.79 (dd, 1H, J)_5a5b = 11.3 Hz, J_5a4 = 3.5 Hz, H-5a), 3.94 (dd, 1H, J)_5b4 = 2.3 Hz, H-5b), 4.20 (dd, 1H, J)₃₁= 1.3 Hz, J₃₄= 8.4 Hz, H-3), 4.37 (ddd, 1H, H-4), 4.58-4.69 (2d, 2H, J_gem = 13.0 Hz, CH₂Ph), 4.87 (d, 1H, H-1), 4.78, 5.03 (2D, 2H, J)_gem = 12.5 Hz, CH₂Ph), 7.19-7.26, 7.31-7.42 (2m, 10H, 2Ph).

¹³C NMR (DMSO-d 6)?₆): δ 55.72; 69.41; 69.81; 69.98; 77.49; 78.00; 9.8.54; 127.99; 128.06; 129.33; 129.38; 131.36; 131.72; 133.61; 133.63; 133.85; 133.97; 134.72; 135.32; 208.21.

Step C: 3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-methyl-1-O-methyl-α-D-ribofuranose

To a solution of MeMgBr (Me = methyl, CH₃) in anhydrous Et₂O (0.48 mol.l ')¹(300 mL) was added dropwise a solution of the compound of Step B (17.40 g, 36.2 mmol) in anhydrous Et at -55 ° C.₂O (125 mL). The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to -30 ° C and stirred for 7 hours at -30 ° C to -15 ° C. It was then poured into ice-cold water (500 ml) and the mixture was stirred vigorously for 30 minutes at room temperature. This mixture was filtered through a pad of celite (10 x 5 cm), which was then washed thoroughly with Et₂O. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated. The obtained residue was dissolved in hexanes (ca. 30 mL), loaded onto a silica gel column (10 x 7 cm, pre-packed in hexanes) and eluted with hexanes and hexanes / ethyl acetate (9: 1) to give the title compound (16.7). (g) in the form of a colorless syrup.

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0044.tif" />

¹1 H NMR (CDCl 3)?₃): δ 1.36 (d, 3H, J_Me0H = 0.9 Hz, 2C-Me), 3.33 (q, 1H, OH), 3.41 (d, 1H, J)₃₄ = 3.3 Hz), 3.46 (s, 3H, OCH₃3.66 (d, 2H, J)₅₄= 3.7 Hz, H-5a, H-5b), 4.18 (apparently q, 1H, H-4), 4.52 (s, 1H, H-1), 4.60 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.63, 4.81 (2, d, 2H, J)_geni= 13.2 Hz, CH₂Ph), 7.19-7.26, 7.34-7.43 (2m, 10H, 2Ph).

¹³C NMR (CDCl 3)?₃): δ 24.88; 55.45: 69.95; 70.24; 70.88; 77.06; 82.18; 83.01; 107.63; 127.32; 129.36; 130.01; 130.32; 133.68; 133.78; 134.13; 134.18; 134.45; 134,58,

Step D: 4-chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-methyl-3-ribofuranosyl] -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

To a solution of the compound of Step C (9.42 g, 19 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (285 mL) was added dropwise HBr (5.7 mol.l -1).¹ in acetic acid, 20 mL, 114 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred at 0 ° C for 1 hour and then at room temperature for 3 hours, then evaporated under vacuum and co-evaporated with anhydrous toluene (3 x 40 mL). The oily residue was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (50 ml) and added to a solution of 4-chloro-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine sodium salt in acetonitrile [formed in 4- chloro-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine, see J. Chem. Soc. 131, 1960; (8.76 g, 57 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (1000 mL) and sodium hydride (60% in mineral oil, 2.28 g, 57 mmol) after 4 hours of vigorous stirring at room temperature]. The combined mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours and then evaporated to dryness. The residue was resuspended in water (250 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 500 mL). The combined extracts were washed with brine (300 mL) dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude product was purified on a silica gel column (10 cm x 10 cm) using ethyl acetate / hexane (1: 3 and 1: 2) as the

- 41 eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and then evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (5.05 g) as a colorless foam.

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0045.tif" />

¹1 H NMR (CDCl 3)?₃): 0.93 (s, 3H, CH₃3.09 (s, 1H, OH), 3.78 (dd, 1H, J)₅.₅= 10.9 Hz, J₅.₄ = 2.5 Hz, H-5 '), 3.99 (dd, 1H, J)₅..₄ = 2.2 Hz, H-5), 4.23-4.34 (m, 2H, H-3 ', H-4'), 4.63, 4.70 (2d, 2H, J)_gem = 12.7 Hz, CH₂Ph), 4.71, 4.80 (2d, 2H, J)_gem = 12.1 Hz, C_H2Ph), 6.54 (d, 1H, J)₅,₆ = 3.8 Hz, H-5), 7.23-7.44 (m, 10H, 2Ph).

¹³C NMR (CDCl 3)?₃): δ 21.31; 69.10; 70.41; 70.77; 79.56; 80.41;

81,05; 91,11; 100,57; 118,21; 127,04; 127,46; 127,57; 129,73; 129,77; '130,57; 130,99; 133,51; 133,99; 134,33; 134,38; 134,74; 135,21;

151,07; 151,15; 152,47.

Step E: 4-Chloro-7- (2-C-methyl-β-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

To a solution of the compound of Step D (5.42 g, 8.8 mmol) in dichloromethane (175 mL) at -78 ° C was added dropwise boron trichloride (1 mol.l -1).¹ in dichloromethane, 88 mL, 88 mmol). The mixture was stirred at -78 ° C for 2.5 hours and then at -30 ° C to -20 ° C for 3 hours. The reaction was quenched by addition of methanol / dichloromethane (1: 1) (90 mL) and the resulting mixture was stirred at -15 ° C for 30 minutes, then neutralized at 0 ° C with aqueous ammonia solution and stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. The solid was filtered and washed with CH₂Cl / methanol (1: 1, 250 mL). The combined filtrates were evaporated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using CH₂WHOSE₂ and the CH gradient₂WHOSE₂/ methanol (99: 1, 98: 2, 95: 5 and 90:10) as eluent to give the desired compound (1.73 g) as a colorless foam which was treated with CH₃CN (acetonitrile) turned into an amorphous solid.

4

- 42 • 4 • 444

4 4

4 4

Ή NMR (DMSO-d6)₆): δ 0.64 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.61-3.71 (m, 1H, H-5 '), 3.79-3.88 (m, 1H, H-5), 3.89-4.01 (m, 2H, H) -3 ', H-4'), 5.15-5.23 (m, 3H, 2'-OH, 3'-OH, 5'-OH), 6.24, (s, 1H, H-1 ') 6.72 (d, 1H, J)₅₆ = 3.8 Hz, H-5), 8.13 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.65 (s, 1H, H-2).

¹³C NMR (DMSO-d6)₆): δ 20.20; 59.95; 72.29; 79.37; 83.16; 91.53; 100.17; 117.63; 128.86; 151.13; 151.19; 151.45.

Step F: 4-Amino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-t-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

To the compound of Step E (1.54 g, 5.1 mmol) was added methanolic ammonia solution (saturated at 0 ° C; 150 mL). The mixture was heated in a stainless steel autoclave at 85 ° C for 14 hours, cooled and evaporated under vacuum. The crude mixture was purified on a silica gel column using CH system₂WHOSE₂methanol (9: 1) as eluent to give the title compound as a colorless foam (0.8 g) which was separated as an amorphous solid upon treatment with acetonitrile. The amorphous solid was recrystallized from methanol / acetonitrile and had a melting point of 222 ° C.

¹1 H NMR (DMSO- d 6)?₆): δ 0.62 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.57-3.67 (m, 1H, H-5 '), 3.75-3.97 (m, 3H, H-5, H-4', H-3 '), 5.00 (s, 1H, 2 &amp; apos; -OH), 5.04 (d, 1H, J)₃._oh.Delta. = 6.8 Hz, 3'-OH), 5.06 (t, 1H, J₅._OH,₅,₅= 5.1 Hz, 5'-OH), 6.11 (s, 1H, H-1 '), 6.54 (d, 1H, J)₅₆ = 3.6 Hz, H-5), 6.97 (br s, 2H, NH)₂), 7.44 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.02 (s, 1H, H-2).

¹³C NMR (DMSO-d6)₆): δ 20.26; 60.42; 72.72; 79.30; 82.75; 91.20; 100.13; 103.08; 121.96; 150.37; 152.33; 158.15.

LC-MS: found 279.10 (MH +)⁺); calculated for C₁₂H₁₆N₄O₄ + H⁺: 279,11

Example 3

- 43 4-Amino-7- (2-C-ethyl-pb-bofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0046.tif" />

Step A: 3,5-Bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-ethyl-1-O-methyl-α-D-ribofuranose

To diethyl ether (300 mL) was slowly added EtMgBr (3.0 mol) at -78 ° C.¹, 16.6 mL, Et = ethyl) and then dropwise the compound from Step B of Example 2 (4.80 g, 10.0 mmol) in anhydrous Et₂O (100 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at -78 ° C for 15 minutes, then allowed to warm to -15 ° C and stirred for an additional 2 hours. It was then poured into a stirred mixture of water (300 mL) and Et₂O (600 mL). The organic phase was separated, dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated under vacuum. The crude product was purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate / hexane (1: 2) as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (3.87 g) as a colorless oil.

Step B: 4-Chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-ethyl-β-D-bofuranosyl] -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- b] -b] py rim id

To a solution of the compound of Step A (1.02 mg, 2.0 mmol) in dichloromethane (40 mL) was added dropwise HBr (5.7 mol.l -1) at 0 ° C.¹) in acetic acid (1.75 mL, 10.0 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, then evaporated under vacuum and

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0047.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0048.tif" />

co-evaporated twice from toluene (10 mL). The oily residue was dissolved in acetonitrile (10 mL) and added to a vigorously stirred mixture of 4-chloro-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine (307 mg, 2.0 mmol), potassium hydroxide (337 mg, 6, 0 mmol) and tris [2- (2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl] amine (130 mg, 0.4 mmol) in acetonitrile (10 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and then poured into a stirred mixture of saturated ammonium chloride (100 mL) and ethyl acetate (100 mL). The organic layer was separated, washed with brine (100 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated under vacuum. The crude product was purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate / hexane (1: 2) as eluent to give the desired product (307 mg) as a colorless foam.

Step C: 4-Chloro-7- (2-C-ethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

To a solution of the compound of Step B (307 mg, 0.45 mmol) in dichloromethane (8 mL) at -78 ° C was added boron trichloride (1 mol.l -1).¹ in dichloromethane) (4.50 mL, 4.50 mmol). The mixture was stirred at this temperature for 1 hour and then at -10 ° C for 3 hours. The reaction was quenched by addition of methanol / dichloromethane (1: 1, 10 mL), stirred at -15 ° C for 30 min, and neutralized by the addition of aqueous ammonium hydroxide. The mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure and the resulting oil was purified on silica gel using methanol / dichloromethane (1: 9) as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (112 mg) as a colorless foam.

Step D:

4-amino-7- (2-C-ethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

To the compound of Step C (50 mg, 0.16 mmol) was added a saturated solution of ammonia in methanol (4 mL). The mixture was stirred at 75 ° C for 72 hours in a sealed container, then cooled and evaporated under vacuum. The crude mixture was purified on silica gel using methanol / dichloromethane as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (29 mg) as a colorless powder.

Ή NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-c)₆δ: 0.62 (t, 3H), 1.02 (m, 2H), 4.01-3.24 (m, 6H), 5.06 (m, 1H), 6.01 (s, 1H), 6.51 (d, 1H), 6.95 (s br, 2H), 6.70 (d, 1H), 7.99 (s, 1H).

LC-MS: found 295.2 (M + H)⁺); calculated for C₁₃H₁₈N₄O₄+ H⁺: 295,14

Example 4

2-Amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidin-4 (3H) -one

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0049.tif" />

Step A: 2-Amino-4-chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] ] pyrimidine

To an ice-cold solution of the product of Example 2, Step C (1.27 g, 2.57 mmol) in CH₂WHOSE₂ (30 mL) was added dropwise HBr (5.7 mol.¹'¹ in acetic acid, 3 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature

- 46 44 44 4-9 4« *· *♦·,·

9 '4 4' 4'4 4 4 · 4 · '4 ••' • 4 '* ·' 4 ·,

4 '4 ·4· 4 '4 4 '4 4 4 9 14 '4 4 ^ΓConcentrate under reduced pressure and evaporate together with toluene (2 x 15 mL). The resulting oil was dissolved in acetonitrile (MeCN) (15 mL) and added dropwise to a well stirred mixture of 2-amino-4-chloro-7/7-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine (for preparation see Heterocycles 35, 825, 1993) (433 mg, 2.57 mmol), KOH (powdered, 85%) (0.51 g, 7.7 mmol), tris [2- (2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl] amine (165 μΙ, 0.51 mmol) in acetonitrile (30 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature, filtered and evaporated. The obtained residue was purified on a silica gel column using 5: 1, 3: 1 and 2: 1 hexanes / ethyl acetate as eluent to give the title compound as a colorless foam (0.65 g).

Step B: 2-Amino-4-chloro-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-a] pyrimidine

To a solution of the product from Step A (630 mg, 1.0 mmol) in CH₂WHOSE₂ (20 mL) was added boron trichloride (1 mol.l -1) at -78 ° C.¹ in CH₂WHOSE₂(10 mL, 10 mmol). The mixture was stirred at -78 ° C for 2 hours and then at -20 ° C for 2.5 hours. The reaction was stopped by addition of CH system₂WHOSE₂methanol (1: 1, 10 mL), stirred at -20 ° C for 30 min and neutralized at 0 ° C with aqueous ammonia solution. The solid was filtered, washed with CH₂WHOSE₂methanol (1: 1) and the combined filtrate was evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified on a silica gel column using CH system₂WHOSE₂methanol (50: 1 and 20: 1) as eluent to give the title compound as a colorless foam (250 mg).

Step C: 2-Amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

A mixture of the product of Step B (90 mg, 0.3 mmol) in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (2 mol / L).¹, 9 ml) was heated to the boiling point below 4 4 · 4 4

4 4 4 4·· • 4 4 4 '4 4 ·

4 4 .4 4 4 4 • 44 4 « · · ·4

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0050.tif" />

- 47 reflux (for 5 hours), then neutralized at 0 ° C with aqueous HCl (2 mol.l -1).¹) and evaporated to dryness, purifying on a silica gel column using the CH system₂WHOSE₂Methanol (5: 1) as eluent gave 70 mg of the title compound as a white solid.

¹1 H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3)?₃FROM); δ 0.86 (s, 3H), 3.79 (m, 1H), 3.90-4.05 (m, 3H), 6.06 (s, 1H), 6.42 (d, J = 3) 7 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (d, J = 3.7 Hz, 1H).

Example 5

2-Amino-4-cyclopropylamino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) 7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0051.tif" />

A solution of 2-amino-4-chloro-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine (from Example 4, Step B) (21 mg (0.07 mmol) in cyclopropylamine (0.5 mL) was heated at 70 ° C for 2 days, then evaporated to an oily residue and purified on a silica gel column using CH system.₂WHOSE₂methanol, 20: 1, as eluent, to give the title compound as a white solid (17 mg).

¹1 H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3)?₃CN): δ 0.61 (m, 2H), 0.81 (m, 2H), 0.85 (s, 3H), 2.83 (m, 1H), 3.74-3.86 (m, 1H), 3.93-4.03 (m, 2H), 4.11 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 6.02 (s, 1H), 6.49 (d, J = 3) 7 Hz, 1H), 7.0 (d, J = 3.7 Hz, 1H).

<td> 4 4</td><td></td><td> ··</td><td> 4 44</td><td> 44</td><td></td><td> 4 44 4</td>

<td> •</td><td> •</td><td> 4</td><td> • 4 4 4</td><td> 4</td><td> 4</td><td> •</td>

<td> 4</td><td> •</td><td> 444</td><td> • 4 ·</td><td> 4</td><td> •</td><td> &gt;4</td>

<td> 4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> 4</td><td> •</td><td> 4 ·</td><td> • 4 4</td><td> 4</td><td> •</td><td> 4</td>

<td> • 4</td><td></td><td> ··</td><td> • •4 4 4</td><td> • 4</td><td></td><td> .4 4</td>

Example 6

4-Amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0052.tif" />

This compound was prepared according to the procedures described by Y. Murai et al. In Heterocycles 33, 391-404, 1992.

Example 7

4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine-5-carboxamide

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0053.tif" />

This compound was prepared according to the procedures described by Y. Murai et al. In Heterocycles 33, 391-404, 1992.

Example 8

<td> 9 9</td><td> 0 0</td><td> 0 0 9</td><td> 00</td><td> ··♦·</td>

<td> *</td><td> • 0</td><td> 19 90 0</td><td> • 0</td><td>^!0</td>

<td> 0</td><td> • 00 0</td><td>• · í *</td><td> 0 0</td><td> 9</td>

<td> 0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> •</td><td> • · ·</td><td> 0· 0 '0</td><td> 0 0</td><td> 9</td>

<td> 9 9</td><td> 00</td><td> 0 0 0 · 9</td><td> • »</td><td> '90</td>

General procedure for obtaining a precursor particle ŠATE

S-acyl-2-thioethyl (SATE) pronucleotides are discussed by CR Wagner and co-authors in the article Pronucleotides: Toward the In Vivo Delivery of Antiviral and Anticancer Nucleotides, Med. Res. Roar. 20, 1-35, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. SATE nucleoside derivatives are also disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,770,725; Nos. 5,849,905 and 6,020,482, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Bis- (S-acetyl-2-thioethyl) -N, N-diisopropylphosphoramidite

2-mercaptoethanol (5 g, 64 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of CH₂WHOSE₂. To this solution was added triethylamine (7.67 mL, 57.6 mmol) and the reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath to 0 ° C. Acetic anhydride (4.54 mL, 48 mmol) was added dropwise over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was stirred at 0 ° C for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was then allowed to warm to room temperature over 2 hours. It was then diluted with 50 mL of CH₂WHOSE₂, washed with water (75 mL), 5% aqueous NaHCO 3₃ (75 mL) and brine (75 mL). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum to give an oil. This oil was then dissolved in anhydrous THF (40 mL) and anhydrous triethylamine (7.76 mL) was added. To this mixture was added activated molecular sieve (aperture size 4 A) and the mixture was left at room temperature for 10 minutes. It was then cooled in an ice bath to 0 ° C and diisopropylphosphoramide dichloride (6.47 g, 32.03 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 ° C for 2 hours under an inert atmosphere. Hexane (40 mL) was then added to the reaction mixture and the resulting precipitate was filtered off. The filtrate was concentrated to one-fourth its volume and purified by silica gel column chromatography using hexane containing 3% triethylamine and increasing ethyl acetate (0-7%).

- 50 ··. As eluent to give the title compound as an oil (2.36 g).

¹1 H NMR (CDCl 3)?₃): δ 1.17 (s, 6H), 1.21 (s, 6H), 2.36 (s, 6H), 3.14 (t, j = 6.44 Hz), 3.51-3, 84 (m, 6 H);

¹³C NMR (CDCl 3)?₃): δ 24.47; 24.61; 30.48; 42.85; 43.1; 61.88; 62.23; 195.26;

¹³1 H NMR (CDCl 3): δ 146.96

Example 9

5'-triphosphate derivatives

The nucleoside 5'-triphosphates of the present invention were prepared according to the general procedures described in Chem. Roar. 100, 2047, 2000.

Example 10

Purification and purity analysis of 5'-triphosphate derivatives

The triphosphate derivatives were purified by ion exchange (AX) chromatography using a 30 x 100 mm Mono Q column (Pharmacia) and a 50 mmol / l buffer system.¹ Tris pH 8. Elution gradients were typically from 40 mmol.l -1.¹ NaCl up to 0.8 mol.I '¹ NaCl in two column volumes at 6.5 mL / minute. Appropriate portions, obtained by anion exchange chromatography, were collected and desalted by reverse phase chromatography (RP chromatography) using a Luna C18 250 x 21 mm column (Phenomenex) and a flow rate of 10 ml / minute. Elution gradients were generally from 1% to 95% methanol over 14 minutes at a constant triethylammonium acetate (TEAA) concentration of 5 mmol.l -1.¹).

<td> • ·</td><td></td><td> ··</td><td> • · ·</td><td> 99</td><td></td><td> ··♦·</td>

<td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> '·» &gt;· ·</td><td> ·</td><td> •</td><td> '·</td>

<td> •</td><td> •</td><td> ···</td><td> • · ·</td><td> 9</td><td> •</td><td> *</td>

<td> •</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> •</td><td> •</td><td></td><td> • · ·</td><td> 9</td><td> •</td><td> • ·</td>

<td> ·«</td><td></td><td> &gt;· ·</td><td> ··· 99</td><td> 9 9</td><td></td><td></td>

Mass spectra of purified triphosphates were determined by Hewlett-Packard (Palo Alto, CA) MSD 1100 on-line HPLC mass spectrometry. A 150 x 2 mm Phenomenex Luna (C18 (2)) column was used for RP HPLC. guard column with a particle size of 3 µm. A 15 minute linear gradient of 0 to 50% acetonitrile in 20 mmol was used for the assay.¹ TEAA (triethylammonium acetate) of pH 7, generated in series, with mass spectral detection in negative ionization mode. Nitrogen gas and a pneumatic atomizer were used to generate the electrospray. The mass weights were from 150 to 900. Molecular weights were determined using the HP Chemstation assay kit.

The purity of the purified triphosphates was determined by analytical RP and AX HPLC. RP HPLC on a Phenomenex Luna or Jupiter column (250x

4.6 mm) with a particle size of 5 µm typically run in a 15 minute gradient of 2 to 70% acetonitrile in 100 mmol.¹ TEAA at pH 7. AX HPLC was performed on a 1.6 x 5 mm Mono Q column (Pharmacia). The triphosphates were eluted with a 0 to 0.4 mol.l gradient¹ NaCl at a constant concentration of 50 mmol.l '¹ Tris pH 8. The purity of the triphosphates was generally greater than 80%.

Example 11

5'-monophosphate derivatives

The nucleoside-5'-monophosphates of the present invention were prepared according to the general procedures described in Tetrahedron Lett. 50, 5065 (1967).

Example 12

Characterization of 5'-triphosphate derivatives by mass spectrometry

- 52 · · · 52 52 52 52 52 52.

φ · · φ ·· ··

The mass spectra of the 5'-triphosphates of the compounds of the present invention were determined as described in Example 10. The following Table lists the calculated and experimentally determined weights of representative 5'-triphosphates prepared according to the procedures of Example 9. The numbers of the examples correspond to the parent compound 5. triphosphate.

<td>example</td><td>calculated</td><td>detected</td>

<td> 1</td><td> 520,0</td><td> 519,9</td>

<td> 2</td><td> 520,0</td><td> 520,0</td>

<td> 3</td><td> 534,0</td><td> 534,0</td>

<td> 4</td><td> 536,0</td><td> 536,0</td>

Example 13 [4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine] -5'-monophosphate

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0054.tif" />

To the compound of Step F Example 2 (14 mg, 0.05 mmol) (dried by co-evaporation with pyridine and multiple times with toluene) was added trimethyl phosphate (0.5 mL). The mixture was stirred overnight in a sealed container. It was then cooled to 0 ° C and phosphorus oxychloride (7 μΙ, 0.075 mmol) was added via syringe. The mixture was stirred at 0 ° C for 3 hours and then quenched by the addition of tetraethylammonium bicarbonate (TEAB, 1M).¹, 0.5 ml) and water (5 ml)

<td> • ·</td><td> '· ·</td><td> •</td><td> ··</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> • · 9 9</td>

<td> • ·</td><td> •</td><td> '· * ·</td><td> 9</td><td> 9</td><td> •</td><td> ’·</td>

<td> • ·</td><td> ···</td><td> • ·</td><td> 9</td><td> 9</td><td> •</td><td> •</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> • ·</td><td> ,· '·</td><td> • ·</td><td> •</td><td> 9</td><td> •</td><td>Φ 9</td>

<td> ··</td><td> • ·</td><td> ·· ·</td><td> • ·</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> 9 9</td>

ml). The reaction mixture was purified and analyzed as described in Example 10.

ES-MS (Electron spray mass spectrum): found 395.2 (MH +)⁺), calculated for C₁₂H₁₇N₄O7P-H⁺: 359,1

Example 14 [4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine] -5'-diphosphate

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0055.tif" />

The compound of Example 2, Step F (56 mg, 0.20 mmol) (dried by co-evaporation with pyridine and multiple times with toluene) was added to trimethyl phosphate (stored over sieves) (0.1 mL). The mixture was stirred overnight in a sealed container. It was then cooled to 0 ° C and phosphorus oxychloride (23 μΙ, 0.25 mmol) was added via syringe. The mixture was stirred at 0 ° C for 2 hours and then tributylamine (0.238 mL, 1.00 mmol) and tributylammonium phosphate (formed from phosphoric acid and tributylamine in pyridine followed by repeated azeotropic evaporation with pyridine and acetonitrile) (1.0 mmol in 3.30 ml acetonitrile). The mixture was stirred for an additional 30 minutes at 0 ° C, then the sealed vial was opened and the reaction was stopped by the addition of TEAB (1 mol.l -1).¹(1.0 mL) and water (5 mL). The reaction mixture was purified and analyzed as described in Example 10.

ES-MS: found: 439.0 (MH +)⁺), calculated for C₁₂H₁₈N₄O₁₀P₂-H⁺: 439,04.

<td> • ·</td><td> '9 9</td><td colspan="2"> 9 · ·</td><td colspan="2"> 9 9 .</td><td> 9 9 9 9</td>

<td> • ·</td><td> 9</td><td> • · 9</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> 9</td><td> 9</td>

<td> • ·</td><td> 999</td><td> ’· ·</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> 9</td><td> 9</td>

<td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> • ·</td><td> • ·</td><td> • ·</td><td> 9</td><td> .·</td><td> 9</td><td> • ·</td>

<td> 9 9</td><td> • ·</td><td> • · ·</td><td> 9 9</td><td> • 9</td><td></td><td> 9 9</td>

Example 15 [4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine] -5'-triphosphate

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0056.tif" />

The compound of Example 2, Step F (20 mg, 0.07 mmol) (dried by co-evaporation with pyridine and co-evaporation several times with toluene) was added to trimethyl phosphate (stored over sieves) (0.4 mL). The mixture was stirred overnight in a sealed container. It was then cooled to 0 ° C and phosphorus oxychloride (7 μΙ, 0.075 mmol) was added via syringe. The mixture was stirred at 0 ° C for 3 hours and then tributylamine (0.083 mL, 0.35 mmol) and tributylammonium pyrophosphate (127 mg, 0.35 mmol) and acetonitrile (stored over sieves) (0.25 mL) were added. The mixture was stirred for an additional 30 minutes at 0 ° C, then the sealed vial was opened and the reaction was stopped by the addition of TEAB (1 mol.l -1).¹, 0.5 mL) and water (5 mL). The reaction mixture was purified and analyzed as described in Example 10.

ES-MS: found: 519.0 (MH +)⁺), calculated for C₁₂H₁₉N₄O₁₃P₃-H⁺: 519,01.

Example 16

7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidin-4 (3H) -one

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0057.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0058.tif" />

To the compound of Example 2, Step E (59 mg, 0.18 mmol) was added aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (1 mol.l -1).¹). The mixture was heated under reflux for 1 hour, cooled, neutralized with aqueous HCl (2M).¹) and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified on silica gel using dichloromethane / methanol (4: 1) as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (53 mg) as a colorless oil.

¹@ 1 H NMR (CDCl3) .delta₃CN): δ 0.70 (s, 3H), 3.34-4.15 (overlapping m, 7H), 6.16 (s, 1H), 6.57 (d, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (d, 3.6 Hz, 1H); 8.83 (s, 1H).

Example 17

4-amino-5-chloro-7 '(2-C-methyl-PD-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine

HIM

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0059.tif" />

<td></td><td> • ·</td><td> ··</td><td colspan="2"> • ··</td><td colspan="2"> ··</td><td> ····</td>

<td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> ·· ·</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td>

<td></td><td> •</td><td> • · '·</td><td> • ·</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td>

<td> •</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> •</td><td> • ·'·</td><td> • · • ·</td><td> • · ···</td><td> • • ·</td><td> •</td><td> • ··</td><td> • · ··</td>

To a pre-cooled solution (0 ° C) of the compound of Example 2, Step F (140 mg, 0.50 mmol) in DMF (2.5 mL) was added N-chlorosuccinimide (0.75 g, 0.55 mmol) dropwise. ) in DMF (0.5 mL). The solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, quenched with methanol (4 mL) and evaporated under vacuum. The crude product was purified on silica gel using methanol / dichloromethane (1: 9) as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (55 mg) as a colorless solid.

¹@ 1 H NMR (CDCl3) .delta₃CN): δ 0.80 (s, 3H), 3.65-4.14 (overlapping m, 7H), 5.97 (s br, 2H), 6.17 (s, 1H), 7.51 (s) s, 1H), 8.16 (s, 1H).

ES-MS: found 315.0 (M + H⁺), calculated for C₁₂H₁₅TIN₄O₄+ H⁺: 315,09.

Example 18

4-amino-5-bromo-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0060.tif" />

To a pre-cooled solution (0 ° C) of the compound of Example 2, Step F (28.0 mg, 0.10 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) was added N-bromosuccinimide (0.018 g, 0.10 mmol) dropwise. ) in DMF (0.5 mL). The solution was stirred at 0 ° C for 20 minutes and then at room temperature for 10 minutes.

<td></td><td> • 4</td><td> ··</td><td> 4 4 4</td><td> • 4</td><td></td><td> 4444</td>

<td> •</td><td> •</td><td> •</td><td> ·· · ·</td><td> 4</td><td> •</td><td> 4</td>

<td> •</td><td> 4</td><td> 444</td><td> • 4 4</td><td> 4</td><td> 4</td><td> 4</td>

<td> •</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> •</td><td> 4 4·</td><td> 4 4 4 4</td><td> 4 4 4 44 4 44</td><td> 4 4 4</td><td> 4</td><td> 4 4 44</td>

The reaction was quenched by the addition of methanol (4 mL) and evaporated under vacuum. The crude product was purified on silica gel using methanol / dichloromethane (1: 9) as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (13.0 mg) as a colorless solid.

¹@ 1 H NMR (CDCl3) .delta₃CN): δ 0.69 (s, 3H), 3.46-4.00 (overlapping m, 7H), 5.83 (s br, 2H), 6.06 (s, 1H), 7.45 (s) s, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H).

ES-MS: found 359.1 (M + H⁺), calculated for C₁₂H₁₅BrN₄O₄+ H⁺: 359,04

Example 19

2-Amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 / 7-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0061.tif" />

NH₂

A mixture of 2-amino-4-chloro-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine (from Example 4, Step B) (20 mg, 0 , 07 mmol) in ethanol (1.0 mL), pyridine (0.1 mL) and 10% palladium on carbon (Pd / C, 6 mg) were stirred under H₂ (at atmospheric pressure) overnight at room temperature. It was then filtered through a pad of celite, which was thoroughly washed with ethanol. The combined filtrates were evaporated and purified on a silica gel column using dichloromethane / methanol (20: 1 and 10: 1) as eluent to give the title compound as a white solid (16 mg).

• ·· ·· · · • · ·

- 58 • · • · · • · ··· • · · · • · · · ·· ·· ·· • · · ··· ·· ·· ···· • · · • · · • · · · ·· ··

Ή NMR (200 MHz, CD)₃OD): δ 0.86 (s, 3H, 2'C-Me), 3.82 (dd, J₅.₄. =

3.6 Hz, J₅.₅Δ = 12.7 Hz, 1 Η, H-5 '), 3.94-4.03 (m, 2H, H-5', H-4 '), 4.10 (d, J₃.₄. = 8.8 Hz, 1H, H-3 '), 6.02 (s, 1H, H-1)¹), 6.41 (d, J₅₆ = 3.8 Hz, 1H, H-5), 7.39 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.43 (s, 1H, H-4).

ES-MS: 281.4 (MH +)⁺).

Example 20

2-Amino-5-methyl-7- (2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-β-D-bofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidin-4 ( 3B) -on

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0062.tif" />

Step A: 2-Amino-4-chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-Cmethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl] -5-methyl-7H-pyrrolo [2,3] -c] pyrimidine

To an ice-cold solution of the product of Example 2, Step C (1.57 g, 3.16 mmol) in dichloromethane (50 mL) was added dropwise HBr (5.7 mL).¹ in acetic acid; 3.3 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 ° C for 1 hour and then at room temperature for 2 hours, concentrated under vacuum and co-evaporated with toluene (2 x 20 mL). The resulting oil was dissolved in acetylnitrile (20 mL) and added dropwise to a solution of the sodium salt of 2-amino-4-chloro-5-methyl-1 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine in acetonitrile {formed in situ from 2-amino-4-chloro-5-methyl-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-b] pyrimidine [for preparation see Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1984: 708-721] (1.13 g, 6.2 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (150 mL) and NaH (60% in mineral oil, 248 mg, i).

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0063.tif" />

- 59 3 · · 3 · 3

O 3

3

9 •3

O · · *

O 3 3

O 7 ·

3· · 3 3 3 0 3

7 3 3 O 3

3 3 3 3 3 O

7 3 3 0 0 3

3·· 3 · 3· 3 ·

6.2 mmol), after 2 hours of vigorous stirring at room temperature}. The combined mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours and then evaporated to dryness. The residue was resuspended in water (100 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (300 + 150 mL). The combined extracts were washed with brine (100 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude product was purified on a silica gel column (5x7 cm) using ethyl acetate / hexane (0 to 30% ethyl acetate in 5% step gradient) as eluent. The product containing fractions were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (0.96 g) as a colorless foam.

Step B: 2-Amino-4-chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C, 2-Odimethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl] -5- methyl-7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

To an ice-cold mixture of the product of Step A (475 mg, 0.7 mmol) in THF

THF (7 mL) was added NaH (60% in mineral oil, 29 mg) and stirred at 0 ° C for 30 min. Then CH₃I (48 μΙ) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction was quenched by the addition of methanol and the mixture was evaporated. The crude product was purified on a silica gel column (5 x 3.5 cm) using hexane / ethyl acetate (9: 1, 7: 1, 5: 1 and 3: 1) as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined to give the title compound (200 mg) as a colorless foam.

Step C: 2-Amino-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-1,2-dimethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl] -5-methyl-7H-pyrrolo [2] 3-d] pyrimidin-4 (3H) -one

A mixture of the product of Step B (200 mg, 0.3 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (15 mL) and aqueous' NaOH '(2 mol.I').¹(15 mL) was heated to 135 ° C in a pressurized bottle overnight. Then the mixture was cooled to 0 ° C,

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0064.tif" />

- 60 neutralized with aqueous HCl (2 mol / l)¹) and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was suspended in methanol, filtered and the solid was again washed thoroughly with methanol. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the residue was purified on a silica gel column (5x5 cm) using dichloromethane / methanol (40: 1, 30: 1 and 20: 1) as eluent to give the desired compound (150 mg) as a colorless foam.

Step D: 2-amino-5-methyl-7- (2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidin-4 (3 H) 7) -on

A mixture of the product of Step C (64 mg, 0.1 mmol) in methanol (5 mL) and Et₃N (triethylamine, 0.2 mL) and 10% Pd / C (24 mg) were hydrogenated on a Parr hydrogenator at 50 psi for 1.5 days at room temperature, then filtered through a pad of celite which was thoroughly washed with methanol. The combined filtrates were evaporated and the residue was purified on a silica gel column (3x4 cm) using CH system₂WHOSE₂/ methanol (30: 1, 20: 1) as eluent to give 2-amino-5-methyl-7- (5-O-benzyl-2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H -pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidin-4 (3H) -one. This compound (37 mg) was further hydrogenated in ethanol (2 mL) with 10% Pd / C and hydrogen at atmospheric pressure. After stirring at room temperature for 2 days, the reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of celite, the filtrate was evaporated and the crude product was purified on a silica gel column (1 x 7 cm) using CH system₂WHOSE₂methanol (30: 1, 20: 1) as eluent to afford the title compound (12 mg) after lyophilization.

Ή NMR (200 MHz, CD)₃OD): δ 0.81 (s, 3H, 2'C-Me), 2.16 (d, J_H._6C5._Me= 1.3 Hz, 3H, C5-Me), 3.41 (s, 3H, 2'-O Me), 3.67 (dd, J₅.₄J = 3.4 Hz, J₅,₅= 12.6 Hz, 1H, H-5 '), 3.81-3.91 (m, 3H, H-5, H-4', H-3 '), 6.10 (s, 1H, H-1 '), 6.66 (d, 1H, H-6).

ES-MS: 323.3 (MH)⁺.

Example 21 ·· ·

61-4-amino-5-methyl-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0065.tif" />

Step A: 4-Chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl] -5-methyl-7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] ] pyrimidine

To an ice-cold solution of the product of Example 2, Step C (1.06 g, 2.1 mmol) in dichloromethane (30 mL) was added dropwise HBr (5.7 mol.l -1).¹ in acetic acid; 2.2 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 ° C for 1 hour and then at room temperature for 2 hours, concentrated under vacuum and co-evaporated with toluene (2 x 15 mL). The resulting oil was dissolved in acetonitrile (10 mL) and added dropwise to a solution of 4-chloro-5-methyl-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine sodium salt in acetonitrile (formed in situ from 4-chloro-5). -methyl-1 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine, [preparation see J. Med. Chem. 33, 1984, 1990] (0.62 g, 3.7 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (70 mL and NaH in 60% mineral oil, 148 mg,

3.7 mmol), after 2 hours of vigorous stirring at room temperature}. The combined mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours and then evaporated to dryness. The residue was resuspended in water (100 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (250 + 100 mL). The combined extracts were washed with brine (50 mL) dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude product was purified on a silica gel column (5x5 cm) using a hexane / ethyl acetate gradient (9: 1, 5: 1, 3: 1) as eluent. The proportions containing the product were combined and

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0066.tif" />

evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (0.87 g) as a colorless foam.

Step B: 4-Chloro-5-methyl-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

To a solution of the compound of Step A (0.87 g, 0.9 mmol) in dichloromethane (30 mL) at -78 ° C was added dropwise boron trichloride (1 mol.l -1).¹ in dichloromethane, 9.0 mL, 9.0 mmol). The mixture was stirred at -78 ° C for 2.5 hours and then at -30 to -20 ° C for 3 hours. The reaction was quenched by addition of methanol / dichloromethane (1: 1, 9 mL) and the resulting mixture was stirred at -15 ° C for 30 min. It was then neutralized with an aqueous ammonia solution at 0 ° C and stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. The solid was filtered and washed with dichloromethane / methanol (1: 1, 50 mL). The combined filtrates were evaporated and the residue was purified on a silica gel column (5x5 cm) using dichloromethane and gradient dichloromethane / methanol (40: 1 and 30: 1) as eluent to give the desired compound (0.22 g) as a colorless foam.

Step C: 4-Amino-5-methyl-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-cf] pyrimidine

To the compound of Step B (0.2 g, 0.64 mmol) was added methanolic ammonia solution (saturated at 0 ° C; 40 mL). The mixture was heated in a 100 ° C stainless steel autoclave for 14 hours, then cooled and evaporated under vacuum. The crude mixture was purified on a silica gel column (5x5 cm) using a dichloromethane / methanol gradient (50: 1, 30: 1, 20: 1) as eluent to give the title compound as a white solid (0.12 g). .

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0067.tif" />

¹1 H NMR (DMSO- d 6): δ 0.60 (s, 3H, 2'C-Me), 2.26 (s, 3H, 5C-Me), 3.52-3.61 (m, 1H 3.70-3.88 (m, 3H, H-5, H-4 &amp; apos ;, H-3 &amp; apos;), 5.00 (s, 1H, 2 &amp; apos; -OH), 4, 91-4.99 (m, 3H, 2'-OH, 3'-OH, 5'-OH), 6.04 (s, 1H, H-1 &amp; apos;), 6.48 (br s, 2H, NH)₂7.12 (s, 1H, H-6), 7.94 (s, 1H, H-2).

ES-MS: 295.2 (MH +)⁺).

Example 22

4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0068.tif" />

Example 6 (0.035 g, 0.11 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of aqueous ammonia (4 mL, 30% by weight) and saturated methanolic ammonia (2 mL) and H solution was added.₂O₂ in water (2 mL, 35% by weight). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the obtained residue was purified by reverse phase HPLC (Altech Altima C-18, 10 x 299 mm, A = water, B = acetonitrile, 10 to 60% B in 50 min, flow rate 2 ml per minute) to give the title compound (0.015 g, 41%) as a white solid.

¹@ 1 H NMR (CDCl3) .delta₃OD): δ 0.85 (s, 3H, Me), 3.61 (m, 1H), 3.82 (m, 1H), 3.99-4.86 (m, 2H), 6.26 (m) s, 1H), 8.10 (s, 2H), 8.22 (s, 1H);

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0069.tif" />

- 64 ¹³@ 1 H NMR (CDCl3)₃OD): 20.13; 61.37; 73.79; 80.42; 84.01; 93.00; 102.66; 112.07; 130.07; 151.40; 152.74; 159.12; 169.30.

HRMS (FAB): Calcd₁₃H₁₇N₄O₆⁺ 325.1 148; found 325.1143.

Example 23

4-amino-7- (2-C-vinyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0070.tif" />

Step A: 3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-vinyl-1-O-methyl-α-D-ribofuranose

Cerium chloride heptahydrate (50 g, 134.2 mmol) was finely crushed in a pre-heated mortar and transferred to a round bottom flask, complete with a mechanical stirrer. The flask was heated at 160 ° C under high vacuum overnight. The vacuum was removed under an argon atmosphere and the flask was cooled to room temperature. Anhydrous THF (300 mL) was then added via cannula to the flask. The resulting suspension was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours and then cooled to -78 ° C. Vinyl magnesium bromide (1 mol.l ·¹ in THF, 120 mL, 120 mmol) and stirring was continued at -78 ° C for 2 h. To this suspension was then added dropwise, with stirring, a solution of 3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -1-O-methyl-cis-D-erythropentofuranose-2-ulose (14 g, 30 mmol). ) [from Example 2, Step B] in anhydrous THF

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0071.tif" />

furanose-2-ulose (14 g, 30 mmol) [from Example 2, Step B] in anhydrous THF (100 mL). The reaction was stirred at -78 ° C for 4 hours, then quenched with saturated ammonium chloride solution and allowed to warm to room temperature. The mixture was filtered through a pad of celite and the residue was washed with Et₂O (2 x 500 mL). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O (2 x 200 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to a viscous yellow oil. The oil was purified by flash chromatography (SiO 2)₂, 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes). The title compound (6.7 g, 13.2 mmol) was obtained as a dark yellow oil.

Step B: 4-chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-vinyl-, p -dribofuranosyl] -7,7-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

To a solution of the compound of Step A (6.4 g, 12.6 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (150 mL) was added dropwise HBr (30% solution in AcOH, 20 mL, 75.6 mmol) at -20 ° C. . The resulting solution was stirred at -10 ° C to 0 ° C for 4 hours, evaporated under vacuum and co-evaporated with anhydrous toluene (3 x 40 mL). The oily residue was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (100 mL) and added at -20 ° C to a solution of 4-chloro-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine sodium salt (5.8 g, 37.8 mmol). in acetonitrile (formed under in situ conditions as described in Example 2). The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The mixture was then evaporated to dryness, taken up in water and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 300 mL).

The combined extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography (SiO 2)₂10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) and the title compound (1.75 g) was isolated as a white foam.

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0072.tif" />

Step C: 4-Amino-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichloro-phenylmethyl) -2-C-vinyl-p-dibrofuranosyl] -7,7-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

The compound of Step B (80 mg) was dissolved in a minimum amount of 1,4-dioxane and placed in a stainless steel cylinder. It was cooled to -78 ° C and then liquid ammonia was added. The cylinder was sealed and heated to 90 ° C for 24 hours. The ammonia was allowed to evaporate and the residue was concentrated to a white solid which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step D: 4-Amino-7- (2-C-vinyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine

To a solution of the compound of Step C (60 mg) in dichloromethane was added dropwise boron trichloride (1 mol.l -1) at -78 ° C.¹ in dichloromethane). The mixture was stirred at -78 ° C for 2.5 hours and then at -30 ° C to -20 ° C for 3 hours. The reaction was quenched by the addition of methanol / dichloromethane (1: 1) and the resulting mixture was stirred at -15 ° C for 30 minutes. It was then neutralized at 0 ° C with aqueous ammonia solution and stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. The solid was filtered off and. Wash with methanol / dichloromethane (1: 1). The combined filtrates were evaporated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO 2)₂10% methanol in ethyl acetate containing 0.1% triethylamine). The product fractions were evaporated to give the title compound as a white solid (10 mg).

Ή NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 3.6 (m, 1H, H-5 '), 3.8 (m, 1H, H-5), 3.9 (md, 1-H, H- 4 '), 4.3 (t, 1H, H-3'), 4.8-5.3 (m, 6H, CH = CH 2, 2'-OH, 3'-OH, 5'-OH), 6.12 (s, 1H, H-1 &amp; apos;), 6.59 (d, 1H, H-5), 7.1 (br s, 1H, NH)₂7.43 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.01 (s, 1H, H-2).

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0073.tif" />

ES-MS: found 291.1 (M-H +); calculated for C₁₃H₁₆M₄O₄-H ':

291,2.

Example 24

4-Amino-7- (2-C-hydroxymethyl-PD-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0074.tif" />

Step A: 4-Chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-hydroxymethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl] -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

To a solution of the compound of Example 23, Step B (300 mg, 0.48 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (5 mL) was added N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (300 mg, 2.56 mmol) and osmium tetroxide ( 4% solution in water, 0.3 ml). The mixture was stirred for 14 hours in the dark. The precipitate was removed by filtration through a pad of celite, diluted with water (3x) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum. The oily residue was taken up in dichloromethane (5 ml) and stirred for 12 hours over Na10₄ with silica gel (3 g, 10% NaiO)₄). The silica gel was removed by filtration and the residue was evaporated and taken up in absolute ethanol (5 mL). The solution was cooled in an ice bath and sodium borohydride (300 mg, 8 mmol) was added in small portions. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours and diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water (2 x 20 mL), brine 20 mL, and dried over MgSO 4

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0075.tif" />

sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO 2)₂, 2: 1 hexanes / ethyl acetate) to afford the title compound (160 mg, 0.25 mmol) as white flakes.

Step B: 4-Amino-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-hydroxymethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl] -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

The compound of Step A (150 mg, 0.23 mmol) was dissolved in a minimum amount of 1,4-dioxane (10 mL) and placed in a stainless steel pressure vessel. This was cooled to -78 ° C and then liquid ammonia was added. The pressure vessel was sealed and heated to 90 ° C for 24 hours. The ammonia was allowed to evaporate and the residue was concentrated to a white solid which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step C: 4-Amino-7- (2-C-hydroxymethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

The compound of Step B (120 mg, 0.2 mmol) was dissolved in methanol / dichloromethane (1: 1), 10% palladium on carbon was added, and the suspension was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere for 12 hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration through a pad of celite and washed with large amounts of methanol. The combined filtrates were evaporated under vacuum and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO 2)₂10% methanol in ethyl acetate containing 0.1% triethylamine) to give the title compound (50 mg) as a white powder.

NMR (CD₃OD): δ 3.12 (d, 1H, CH₂3.33 (d, 1H, CH₂), 3.82 (m, 1H, H-5)¹), 3.99-4.1 (m, 2H, H-4 ', H-5'), 4.3 (d, 1H, H-3 '), 6.2 (s, 1H, H-1') 6.58 (d, 1H, H-5), 7.45 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.05 (s, 1H, H-2).

LC-MS: found 297.2 (M + H)⁺); calculated for C₁₂H₁₆N₄O₅+ H⁺:

297,3.

• ·

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0076.tif" />

Example 25

4-amino-7- (2-C-fluoromethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0077.tif" />

Step A: 4-chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-fluoromethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl] -7,7-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

To a solution of the compound of Example 24, Step A (63 mg, 0.1 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (5 mL) was added 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP; 2 mg, 0.015 mmol) and triethylamine (62 µL) under argon. , 45 mmol). The solution was cooled in an ice bath and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (30 mg, 0.15 mmol) was added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature overnight, washed with sodium bicarbonate (2 x 10 mL), water (10 mL), brine (10 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum to a pink solid. This solid was dissolved in anhydrous THF (5 mL) and cooled in an ice bath. Tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1 mol.l ') was added.¹ solution in THF, 1 mL, 1 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The solvent was removed under vacuum, the residue was taken up in dichloromethane and washed with sodium bicarbonate (2 x 10 mL), water (10 mL) and brine (10 mL). The dichloromethane layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentrated under vacuum, and purified by flash chromatography (SiO).₂, 2: 1 hexanes / ethyl acetate) to afford the title compound (20 mg as a white solid).

• ·

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0078.tif" />

Step B: 4-Amino-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C-fluoromethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl] -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

The compound of Step A (18 mg, 0.03 mmol) was dissolved in a minimum amount of 1,4-dioxane (10 mL) and placed in a stainless steel pressure vessel. This was cooled to -78 ° C and then liquid ammonia was added. The pressure vessel was sealed and heated to 90 ° C for 24 hours. The ammonia was allowed to evaporate and the residue was concentrated to a white solid which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step C: 4-Amino-7- (2-C-fluoromethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) 7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine

The compound of Step B (16 mg) was dissolved in methanol / dichloromethane (1: 1), 10% palladium on carbon was added, and the suspension was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere for 12 hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration through a pad of celite and washed with large amounts of methanol. The combined filtrates were evaporated under vacuum and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO 2)₂10% methanol in ethyl acetate containing 0.1% triethylamine) to give the title compound (8 mg) as a white powder.

¹1 H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 3.6-3.7 (m, 1H, H-5 '), 3.8-4.3 (m, 5H, H-5, H-4', H-3 &amp; apos ;, CH₂), 5.12 (t, 1H, 5'-OH), 5.35 (d, 1H, 3'-OH), 5.48 (s, 1H, 2'-OH), 6.21 (s, 1H, HT), 6.52 (d, 1H, H-5), 6.98 (br s, 2H, NH2), 7.44 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.02 (s, 1H) , H-2).

¹⁹F NMR (DMSO-d6): δ -230.2 (t).

ES-MS: found 299.1 (M + H⁺), calculated for C₁₂H₁₅FN₄O₄+ H⁺: 299,27.

Examples 26 and 27

- 71 • · ·· « · · ······ ··· · · · · ·· · • · ··· · · · · · ·

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0079.tif" />

4-amino-7- (3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine and 4-amino-7- (3-deoxy-2) -C-methyl-3-D-arabinofuranosyl) 7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0080.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0081.tif" />

Step A: 7- [2,5-bis-O- (tert-butylidimethylsilyl) -β-D-ribofuranosyl] -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine and 7- [3,5-bis-O - (tert-Butyldimethylsilyl) -3-D-ribofuranosyl] -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

To a stirred solution of tubercidin (5.0 g, 18.7 mmol) in a mixture of pyridine (7.5 mL) and dimethylformamide (18.5 mL) was added silver nitrate (6.36 g, 38.8 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Then it was cooled in an ice bath, THF (37.4 mL) and tert-butyl dimethylsilyl chloride (5.6 g, 37 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred for another 2 hours at room temperature. The mixture was then filtered through a pad of celite and washed with tetrahydrofuran.

The filtrate and washings were diluted with ether containing a small amount of chloroform. The organic layer was washed sequentially with sodium bicarbonate and water (3 x 50 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated. Pyridine was removed by co-evaporation with toluene and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using 5-7% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent. The yield was 3.0 g.

• · ·

- 72 ·· • · · · ·· · · • ·· ·· ···· ·· · · · · * • · · · · · • · · · · · · ··· ·· ·· ··

Step B: 7- [2,5-bis-O- (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) -β-D-ribofijranosyl] -4- [di- (4-methoxyphenyl) phenylmethyl] amino-7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrrole 7- [3,5-bis-O- (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) -β-D-ribofuranosyl] -4- [di- (4-methoxyphenyl) phenylmethyl] amino-7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine pyridine

To a solution of a mixture of the compounds of Step A (3.0 g, 6.0 mmol) in anhydrous pyridine (3% mL) was added 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl chloride (2.8 g, 8.2 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was then triturated with aqueous pyridine and extracted with ether. The organic layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated to a yellow foam (5.6 g). The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using 20-25% ethyl acetate in hexanes as eluent. The appropriate portions were combined and concentrated to give 2 ', 5'-bis-O- (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) and 3', 5'-bis-O- (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) protected nucleosides as a colorless foam (in amount 2.2 g and 1.0 g).

Step C: 7- [2,5-bis-O- (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) -3-O-tosyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl] -4- [di- (4-methoxyphenyl) phenylmethyl] amino-7H-pyrrole o [2,3-d] pyrimidine

To an ice-cold solution of the 2 ', 5'-bis-O- (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) protected nucleoside from step B (2.0 g, 2.5 mmol) in pyridine (22 mL) was added p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (1). , 9 g, 9.8 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 days. It was then triturated with aqueous pyridine (50%, 10 mL) and extracted with ether (3 x 50 mL) containing a small amount of dichloromethane (10 mL). The organic layer was washed with sodium bicarbonate and water (3 x 30 mL). The organic layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. Pyridine was removed by co-evaporation with

- 73 ····

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0082.tif" />

toluene (3 x 25 mL). The residual oil was filtered through silica gel using hexane: ethyl acetate (70:30) as eluent in yield.

1.4 g.

Step D: 4- [di- (4-methoxyphenyl) phenylmethyl] amino-7- [3-O-tosyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl] -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

A solution of the compound of Step C (1.0 g, 1.1 mmol) and THF (10 mL) was stirred with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1 mol.l -1) for 1 min.¹ solution in THF,

2.5 ml). The mixture was cooled and diluted with ether (50 mL). The solution was washed with water (3 x 50 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated to an oil. The residue was purified by passing through a pad of silica gel using hexane / ethyl acetate (1: 1) as eluent in a yield of 780 mg.

Step E: 4-amino-7- (3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine and 4-amino-7- (3-deoxy- 2-C-methyl-β-D-arabino-furanosyl) -7,7-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

CH solution₃Mgl (3.0 mol.l ')¹ solution, 3.0 mL) in anhydrous toluene (3.75 mL) was cooled in an ice bath. Then a solution of the compound of Step D (500 mg, 0.8 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (3.7 mL) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3.5 hours. It was then cooled, treated with aqueous ammonium chloride solution and extracted with ether (50 mL containing 10 mL of dichloromethane). The organic layer was separated, washed with brine (2 x 30 mL) and water (2 x 25 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated to an oil which was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using 4% methanol in dichloromethane to give 2 -Ca-methyl compound (149 mg) and 2-C-3-methyl compound (34 mg). These derivatives were separately treated with 80% acetic acid and reaction

The 74 mixtures were stirred at room temperature for 2.5 hours. The acetic acid was then removed by repeated co-evaporation with ethanol and toluene. The residue was partitioned between chloroform and water. The aqueous layer was washed with chloroform and concentrated. The evaporated residue was purified on silica gel using 5-10% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent to afford the title compounds as white solids.

4-Amino-7- (3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine (9.0 mg):

¹1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6): δ 0.74 (s 3H, CH₃1.07 (dd, 1H, H-3 '), 2.08 (t, 1H, H-3), 3.59 (m, 1H, H-5'), 3.73 (m, 1H, H-5), 4.15 (m, 1H, H-4 '), 5.02 (t, 1H, OH-5'), 5.33 (s, 1H, OH-2 '), 6.00 (s, 1H, H-1 &amp; apos;), 6.54 (d, 1H, H-7), 6.95 (br s, 2H, NH)₂7.47 (d, 1H, H-8), 8.00 (s, 1H, H-2 ES-MS: 263.1 [MH],

4-amino-7- (3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-β-D-arabinofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine (15.0 mg):

Ή NMR (DMSO-d 6): δ 1.23 (s 3H, CH₃2.08 (ddd, 2H, H-3 &amp; apos; and 3), 3.57 (m, 2H, H-5)¹ and 5), 4.06 (m, 1H, H-4), 5.10 (s, 1H, OH-2 '), 5.24 (t, 1H, OH-5'), 6.01 (s 1 H, H-1 '), 6.49 (d, 1H, H-7), 6.89 (br s, 2H, NH)₂7.35 (d, 1H, H-8); 8.01 (s, 1H, H-2);

ES-MS: 265.2 [M + H] +.

Example 28

4-Amino-7- (2,4-C-dimethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 / 7-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine ····

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0083.tif" />

Step A: 5-Deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-D-xylofuranose

The compounds 1,2-O-isopropylidene-D-xylofuranose (38.4 g, 0.2 mmol), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (5 g) and triethylamine (55.7 mL, 0.4 mol) were dissolved in dichloromethane (300 mL). ml). P-Toluenesulfonyl chloride (38.13 g, 0.2 mol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. It was then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate (500 mL) and the two portions were separated. The organic layer was washed with aqueous citric acid solution (20%, 200 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to give a solid (70.0 g). The solid was dissolved in dried THF (300 mL) and LiAlH was added portionwise over 30 min.₄ (16.0 g, 0.42 mol). The mixture was stirred for 15 minutes and ethyl acetate (100 mL) was added dropwise over 30 minutes. The mixture was then filtered through a pad of silica gel. The filtrate was concentrated and the resulting oil was chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate / hexane 1: 4) to give the product as a solid (32.5 g).

Step B: 3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -1-O-methyl-4-α-D-ribofuranose

Chromium trioxide (50 g, 0.5 mol), acetic anhydride (50 mL, 0.53 mol) and pyridine (100 mL, 1.24 mol) were added to dichloromethane (1000 mL) in an ice-cold water bath. the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes.

• ·

5-Deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-D-xylofuranose (32 g, 0.18 mol) in dichloromethane (200 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was then diluted with ethyl acetate (1000 mL) and filtered through a pad of silica gel. The filtrate was concentrated to give a yellow oil. The oil was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (1000 mL) and formaldehyde (37%, 200 mL). The solution was cooled to 0 ° C and solid KOH (50 g) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and then extracted with ethyl acetate (6 x 200 mL). After concentration, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate) to give the product as an oil (1.5 g). The oil was dissolved in

1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (20 mL) and 2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl chloride (4.0 g, 20.5 mmol) and NaH (60%, 0.8 g) were added. The mixture was stirred overnight and diluted with toluene (100 mL). Then the mixture was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (3 x 50 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in methanol (50 mL) and HCl in dioxane (4 mol.l -1) was added.¹, 2 ml). The solution was stirred overnight and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate / hexane 1: 4) to give the desired product as an oil (2.01 g).

Step C: 3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2,4-N-C-methyl-1-O-methyl-α-ribofuranose

The product (2.0 g, 4.0 mmol) from Step B and Dess-Martin periodinate (2.0 g) in dichloromethane (30 mL) were stirred overnight at room temperature and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was triturated with ether-ether (50 mL) and filtered. The filtrate was washed with Na solution₂WITH₂O₃, 5H₂O (2.5 g) in a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate (50 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in anhydrous Et₂O (20 mL) and added dropwise to the CH solution at -78 ° C₃MgBr in Et₂O (3 mol.l '¹, 10 mL). The reaction mixture was

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0084.tif" />

Allow to warm to -30 ° C and stir for 5 hours at -30 ° C to -15 ° C. It was then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (50 mL). The two layers were separated and the organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate / hexane 1: 9) to give the title compound as a syrup (1.40 g).

Step D: 4-Chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichloro-phenylmethyl) -2,4-di-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl] -7H-pyrrolo [2,3] -b] pyrimidine

To the compound of Step C (0.70 g, 1.3 mmol) was added HBr (5.7 mol.l -1).¹ in acetic acid, 2 ml). The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, evaporated under vacuum and co-evaporated with anhydrous toluene (3 x 10 mL). 4-Chloro-1-H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine (0.5 g, 3.3 mmol) and powdered KOH (85%, 150 mg, 2.3 mmol) were stirred for 30 minutes in 1- methyl 2-pyrrolidone (5 mL) and the mixture was co-evaporated with toluene (10 mL). The resulting solution was poured into the above bromo-sugar residue and stirred overnight. The mixture was diluted with toluene (50 mL), washed with water (3 x 50 mL), and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel using ethyl acetate / hexane (15:85) to give a solid (270 mg).

Step E: 4-Amino-7- (2,4-C-dimethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

The compound of Step D (270 mg) was dissolved in dioxane (2 mL) and was added to a stainless steel autoclave with liquid ammonia (20 g). The mixture was heated at 100 ° C for 15h, then cooled and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate) to give a solid (200 mg). Solid (150 mg) and Pd / C (10%, 150 mg) in

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0085.tif" />

The methanol (20 mL) was shaken under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 psi) for 3 hours, then filtered and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (methanol / dichloromethane 1: 9) to give the desired product as a solid (25 mg).

Ή NMR (DMSO-d 6): δ 0.65 (s, 3H), 1.18 (s, 3H), 3.43 (m, 2H), 4.06 (d, 1H, J = 6.3 Hz) ), 4.87 (s, 1H), 5.26 (br, 1H), 5.08 (d, 1H, J = 6.3 Hz), 5.25 (t, 1H, J = 3.0 Hz) ), 6.17 (s, 1H), 6.54 (d, 1H, J = 3.5 Hz), 6.97 (s, br, 2H), 7.54 (d, 1H, J = 3, 4 Hz), 8.02 (s, 1H).

13 C NMR (DMSO-d6): 518.19; 21.32; 65.38; 73.00; 79.33; 84.80; 90.66; 99.09; 102.41; 121.90; 149.58; 157.38.

LS-MS: found 295.1 (M + H⁺); calculated for C₁₃H₁₈N₄O₄+ H⁺:

295,1

Example 29

4-amino-7- (3-deoxy-3-fluoro-2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0086.tif" />

Step A: 3-Deoxy-3-fluoro-1-O-methyl-5-O-toluoyl-α-D-ribofuranose

1,2-O-isopropylidene-D-xylofuranose (9.0 g, 50 mmol) and p-toluoyl chloride (7.0 mL, 50 mmol) in pyridine (50 mL) were stirred for 30 minutes. Water (10 mL) was then added and the mixture was concentrated to pH 1.

- 79 reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in toluene (500 mL) and the solution was washed with water (200 mL) and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (200 mL). The two layers were separated and the organic layer was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in methanol (100 mL) and HCl in dioxane (4 mol.l -1) was added.¹, 10 mL). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate / hexane 1: 1) to give an oil (10.1 g). This oil was dissolved in dichloromethane (100 mL) and diethylaminosulfurtrifluoride (DAST) (5.7 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight and then poured into saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (100 mL). The mixture was extracted with toluene (2 x 50 mL) and the combined organic layers were concentrated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate / hexane 15:85) to give the title compound as an oil (1.50 g).

Step B: 3-Deoxy-3-fluoro-2-C-methyl-1-O-methyl-5-O-toluoyl-D-ribofuranose

The product of Step A (1.0 g, 3.5 mmol) and Dess-Martin periodinane (2.5 g) in dichloromethane (20 mL) were stirred overnight at room temperature and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was triturated with diethyl ether (50 mL) and filtered. The filtrate was washed with Na solution₂WITH₂O₃ . 5H₂O (12.5 g) in a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate (100 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in anhydrous THF (50 mL). Titanium tetrachloride (3 mL) and methyl magnesium bromide in ethyl ether (3 mol.l -1) were added at -78 ° C.¹(10 mL) and the mixture was stirred at -50 ° C to -30 ° C for 2 hours. The mixture was then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate (100 mL) and filtered through a pad of celite. The filtrate was extracted with toluene (100 mL) and evaporated. The rest was •

Subjected to silica gel chromatography (ethyl acetate / hexane 15:85) to give the title compound as an oil (150 mg).

Step C: 4-Amino-7- (3-deoxy-3-fluoro-2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7,7-pyrrolo [2,3-b] pyrimidine

The product of Step B (150 mg, 0.5 mmol) was dissolved in HBr (30%) in acetic acid (2 mL). After one hour, the mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and co-evaporated with toluene (10 mL). 4-Chloro-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine (0.5 g, 3.3 mmol) and powdered KOH (85%, 150 mg, 2.3 mmol) were stirred in DMF (3 mL) for 30 min. ml) and co-evaporated with toluene (2 ml). The resulting solution was poured into a solution of the above bromo-sugar particle and the mixture was stirred overnight. It was then diluted with toluene (50 mL), washed with water (3 x 50 mL), and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (ethyl acetate / hexane 15:85) to give an oil (60 mg). This oil was dissolved in dioxane (2 mL) and was added to a stainless steel autoclave with liquid ammonia (20 g). The mixture was heated at 85 ° C for 18 hours, then cooled and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (methanol / dichloromethane 1: 9) to give the title compound as a solid (29 mg).

¹1 H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.81 (s, 3H), 3.75 (m, 2H), 4.16 (m, 1H), 5.09 (dd, 1H, J = 53, 2. 7.8 Hz), 5.26 (br, 1H), 5.77 (s, 1H), 6.15 (d, 1H, J = 2.9 Hz), 6.59 (d, 1H, J = 2.9 Hz), 7.02 (s, br, 2H), 7.39 (d, 1H, J = 3.4 Hz), 8.06 (s, 1H).

¹³C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 19.40; 59.56; 77.24; 79.29; 90.15; 91.92; 99.88; 102.39; 121.17; 149.80; 151.77; 157.47.

19 F NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 14.66 (m).

LS-MS: found 283.1 (M + H⁺); calculated for C₁₂H₁₅FN₄O₃+ H⁺:

283,1.

·· ····

Example 30

4-amino-7- (2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrole-

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0087.tif" />

Step A: 4-chloro-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [ 2,3-cis pyrimidine

To a pre-cooled (0 ° C) solution of the compound of Example 2, Step D (618 mg, 1.0 mmol) in THF (8 mL) was added methyl iodide (709 mg, 5.0 mmol) and NaH (60% in mineral). oil (44 mg, 1.1 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and then poured into a stirred mixture of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution (50 mL) and dichloromethane (50 mL). The organic layer was washed with water (50 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated under vacuum. The resulting crude product was purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate / hexane as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (735 mg) as a colorless foam.

Step B: 4-amino-7- [3,5-bis-O- (2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl) -2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] ] pyrimidine

To the compound of Step A (735 mg, 1.16 mmol) was added methanolic ammonia solution (saturated at 0 ° C) (20 mL). The mixture was heated overnight in a stainless steel autoclave at 80 ° C, then cooled and evaporated under vacuum. The crude mixture was purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate / hexane as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (504 mg) as a colorless foam.

Step C: 4-Amino-7- (2-C, 2-O-dimethyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine

The product mixture of Step C (64 mg, 0.1 mmol), methanol (5 mL), triethylamine (0.2 mL), and 10% Pd / C (61 mg) was hydrogenated at room temperature overnight in a Parr hydrogenator under pressure. 344.7 kPa. The mixture was then filtered through a pad of celite, evaporated under vacuum and filtered through a pad of silica gel using 2% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent. The desired product was collected and evaporated under vacuum. The compound was redissolved in methanol (10 mL) and Pd / C (61 mg) was added. The mixture was hydrogenated in a Parr hydrogenator at room temperature and pressure for two weeks

379.2 kPa. Then the mixture was filtered through a pad of celite, evaporated under vacuum and purified on silica gel using 10% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product (110 mg) as a colorless foam.

Ή NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.68 (s, 3H), 3.40 (s, 3H), 3.55-3.99 (overlapping m, 4H), 4.92 (d, 1H) 5.07 (t, 1H); 6.26 (s, 1H); 6.55 (d, 1H); 7.00 (s, br, 2H); 7.46 (d, 1H); 05 (s, 1 H).

LS-MS: found 293.1 (M + H⁺); calculated for C₁₂H₁₆N₄O₄+ H⁺: 293,12.

Example 31

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0088.tif" />

4-methylamino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0089.tif" />

The compound of Example 2, Step E (200 mg, 0.67 mmol) was added to methylamine (5 mL, condensed in a small stainless steel autoclave) and heated at 85 ° C for 48 hours, then cooled and evaporated under vacuum. The crude mixture was purified on silica gel using ethanol as eluent to give the title compound, which was separated after treatment with acetonitrile as an amorphous solid. This amorphous solid was dissolved in water and lyophilized to give a colorless powder (144 mg).

¹1 H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.63 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.32 (s, 3H, N CH₃), 3.58-3.67 (m, 1H, H-5 ', 3.79-3.39 (m, 3H, H-5', H-4 ', H-3', 5.03 (s, 1H) 2'-OH), 5.04-5.11 (1H, 3'-OH, 1H, 5'-OH), 6.14 (s, 1H, HT), 6.58 (d, 1H, V3) 6 Hz, H-5), 7.46 (d, 1H, H-6), 7.70 (br s, 1H, NH), 8.14 (s, 1H, H-2).

LS-MS: found 295.1 (M + H⁺); calculated for C₁₃H₁₈N₄O₄+ H⁺:

294,3.

Example 32

4-Dimethylamino-7- (2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0090.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0091.tif" />

The compound of Example 2, Step E (200 mg, 0.67 mmol) was added to dimethylamine (5 mL, condensed in a small stainless steel autoclave) and heated at 85 ° C for 48 hours, then cooled and evaporated under vacuum. The crude mixture was purified on silica gel using ethanol as eluent to give the title compound, which was separated after treatment with acetonitrile as an amorphous solid. This amorphous solid was dissolved in water and lyophilized to give a colorless powder (164 mg).

Ή NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.64 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.29 (s, 3H, N CH₃), 3.32 (s, 3H, N CH₃), 3.60-3.66 (m, 1H, H-5 '), 3.77-3.97 (m, 3H, H-5, H-4', H-3 '), 5.04 (s, 1H, 2'-OH), 5.06-5.11 (1H, 3'-OH, 1H, 5'-OH), 6.21 (s, 1H, H-1 '), 6, 69 (d, 1 H, J)₅,₆= 3.6 Hz, H-5), 7.55 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.13 (s, 1H, H-2).

LS-MS: found 309.3 (M + H⁺); calculated for C₁₄H₂₀N₄O₄+ H⁺: 308,33.

Example 33

4-Cyclopropylamino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0092.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0093.tif" />

The compound of Example 2, Step E (200 mg, 0.67 mmol) was added to cyclopropylamine (5 mL, condensed in a small stainless steel autoclave) and heated at 85 ° C for 48 hours, then cooled and evaporated under vacuum. The crude mixture was purified on silica gel using ethanol as eluent to give the title compound, which was separated after treatment with MeCN as an amorphous solid. This amorphous solid was dissolved in water and lyophilized to give a colorless powder (148 mg).

Ή NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 0.51-0.58 (m, 2H), 0.64 (s, 3H, CH)₃0.74-0.76 (m, 2H), 3.62-3.67 (m, 1H, H-5 '), 3.79-3.82 (m, 3H, H-5), 3.92-3.96 (m, H-4 ', H-3'), 5.03 (s, 1H, 2'-OH), 5.05-5.10 (1H, 3'-OH, 1H, 5'-OH), 6.15 (s, 1H, H-1 &amp; apos;), 7.48 (d, 1H, J)_S6= 3.6 Hz, H-5), 7.59 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.13 (s, 1H, H-2).

LS-MS: found 321.1 (M + H⁺); calculated for C₁₅H₂₀N₄O₄+ H⁺:

320,3.

Example 34

4-amino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-xylofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0094.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0095.tif" />

Step A: 7- [2,5-bis-O- (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) -3-D-ribofuranosyl] -4 - [(4-methoxyphenyl) diphenylmethyl] -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine and

7- [3,5-bis-O- (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) -3-D-ribofuranosyl] -4 - [(4-methoxyphenyl) diphenylmethyl] -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

To a solution of a mixture of the compounds of Step A of Examples 26 and 27 (0.32 g, 0.65 mmol) in anhydrous pyridine (6 mL) was added monomethoxytrityl chloride (0.30 g, 0.98 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was concentrated and the residue was partitioned between dichloromethane (70 mL) and water (20 mL). The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified on a silica gel column using 5-13% ethyl acetate in hexanes as eluent. The appropriate portions were combined and concentrated to give 2 ', 5'-bis-O- (tert -butyldimethylsilyl) and 3', 5'-bis-O- (tert -butyldimethylsilyl) protected nucleosides, both in the form of colorless foam (343 mg and 84 mg).

Step B: 7- [2,5-Bis-O- (tert -butyldimethylsilyl) -β-D-erypha-p-pentofuranose-3-ulosyl] -4 - [(4-methoxyphenyl) diphenylmethyl] amino-7 H - -pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

To a well stirred suspension of chromium trioxide (91 mg, 0.91 mmol) in dichloromethane (4 mL) at 0 ° C was added pyridine (147 µΙ, 1.82 mmol) followed by acetic anhydride (86 µΙ, 0.91 mmol). ). The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes

- 87 minutes at room temperature. The 2 ', 5'-bis-O- (tert -butyldimethylsilyl) protected nucleoside from step A (343 mg, 0.45 mmol) in dichloromethane (2.5 mL) was then added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. . It was then poured into ice cold ethyl acetate (10 mL) and filtered through a short column of silica gel using ethyl acetate as eluent. The filtrate was evaporated and the obtained residue was purified on a silica gel column using hexanes and hexanes / ethyl acetate (7: 1) as eluent to give the title compound (180 mg).

Step C: 7- [2,5-bis-O- (tert -butyldimethylsilyl) -3-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl] -4 - [(4-methoxyphenyl) diphenylmethyl] amino-7H-pyrrolo [2,3] -d] pyrimidine and 7- [2,5-bis-O- (tert -butyldimethylsilyl) -3-C-methyl-β-D-xylofuranosyl] -4 - [(4-methoxyphenyl) diphenylmethyl] amino-7 H - pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

To the mixture CH₃MgBr (3.0 mol.l ')¹ solution in ether; 0.17 mL, 0.5 mmol) in anhydrous hexanes (1.5 mL) was added dropwise a solution of the compound of Step B (78 mg, 0.1 mmol) in anhydrous hexanes (0.5 mL) at room temperature. After stirring at room temperature for 2 hours, the reaction mixture was poured into ice-cold water (10 mL), diluted with ethyl acetate (20 mL), and filtered through a pad of celite, which was then washed thoroughly with ethyl acetate. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The obtained residue was purified on a silica gel column using 8-25% ethyl acetate in hexanes as eluent to give the 3-C-methylxylo-isomer (60 mg) and the 3-C-methylribo-isomer (20 mg).

Step D: 4-Amino-7- (3-C-methyl-3-D-xylofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-cf] pyrimidine

To an ice-cold solution of the 3-C-methylxylo-isomer from step C (60 mg, 0.08 mmol) in THF (2 mL) was added TBAF (1 mol / L solution in THF;

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0096.tif" />

0.32 mL, 0.32 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours, diluted with dichloromethane (50 mL), washed with water (3 x 15 mL), dried and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in dioxane (0.3 mL) and 80% acetic acid (3 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 day and then evaporated. The residue was co-evaporated with dioxane, taken up in water (50 mL) and washed with dichloromethane (2 x 10 mL). The aqueous layer was concentrated and then lyophilized. The obtained residue was purified on a silica gel column using dichloromethane / methanol (20: 1 and 10: 1) as eluent to give the title compound after lyophilization as a white fluffy compound (10 mg).

NMR (CD₃CN): δ 1.28 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.56 (br s, 1H, OH), 3.78 (m, 3H, H-4 ', H-5', H-5), 4.10 (br s, 1H, OH), 4 .44 (d, 1H, J)₂Δ = 3.9 Hz, H-2 '), 5.58 (d, 1H, H-1'), 5.85 (br s, 2H, NH)₂), 6.15 (br s, 1H, OH), 6.48 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.11 (s, 1H, H-2).

ES-MS: 281 [MH]⁺.

Example 35

4-amino-7- (3-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0097.tif" />

To obtain the title compound (4 mg), the riboisomer (20 mg) of Example 32, Step C, was deprotected using the procedure described in Example 32, Step D.

• ·

4444

- 89 • · • 4 • 444

4 ' ·· ¹@ 1 H NMR (CDCl3) .delta₃CN): δ 1.43 (s, 3H, CH₃3.28 (br s, 1H, OH), 3.58 (m, 2H, H-5 &amp; apos ;, H-5), 3.99 (m, 1H, H-4 &amp; apos;), 4.10 ( br s, 1H, OH), 4.62 (d, 1H, 3 '= 8.1 Hz, H-2'), 5.69 (d, 1H, H-1 '), 5.88 (br s, 3H, OH, NH₂), 6.45 (br s, 1H, OH), 6.51 (d, 1H, 3₆= 3.7 Hz, H-5), 7.19 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.12 (s, 1H, H-2).

ES-MS: 281 [MH]⁺.

Example 36

2,4-diamino-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0098.tif" />

A mixture of the product of Example 4, Step B (24 mg) in aqueous ammonia (30%, 10 mL) was heated to 100 ° C in a stainless steel autoclave overnight, then cooled and evaporated. The obtained residue was purified on a silica gel column using methyl chloride / methanol (10: 1 and 5: 1) as eluent to give the title compound (15 mg).

¹1 H NMR (DMSO- d 6): δ 0.68 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.48-3.58 (m, 1H, H-5 '), 3.68-3.73 (m, 2H, H-5, H-4'), 3.84 (m, 1H, H-3 '), 4.72 (s, 1H, 2'-OH), 4.97-5.03 (m, 2H, 3'-OH, 5'-OH), 5.45 (br s, 2H, NH₂6.00 (s, 1H, H-1 &amp; apos;), 6.28 (d, 1H, J = 3.7 Hz, H-5), 6.44 (br s, 1H, NH)₂6.92 (d, 1H, J = 3.7Hz, H-6).

ES-MS: 294.1 (MH +)⁺).

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0099.tif" />

Example 37

4-Amino-2-fluoro-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrole-

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0100.tif" />

To a solution of HF / pyridine (70%, 2 mL) diluted with pyridine (1 mL) at -30 ° C was added the compound of Example 36 (60 mg, 0.2 mmol) in 0.5 mL pyridine followed by tert- Butyl nitrite (36 μΙ, 0.3 mmol). Stirring was continued for 5 minutes at -25 ° C and then the solution was poured into ice-cold water (5 ml), neutralized with 2 mol.l -1.¹ aqueous NaOH solution and evaporated to dryness. The obtained residue was purified on a silica gel column using dichloromethane / methanol (20: 1 and 10: 1) as eluent to afford the title compound.

Example 38

4-amino-5-fluoro-7- (2-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

HIM

O.

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0101.tif" />

HOH OH

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0102.tif" />

Step A: 4-Acetylamino-7- (2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-2-C-methyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- c] pyrimidine

To a solution of the compound of Example 2, Step F (280 mg, 1.00 mmol) in pyridine was added acetic anhydride (613 mg, 6.0 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred overnight at room temperature, evaporated under vacuum, and the resulting crude mixture was purified on silica gel using acetate / hexane as eluent. The fractions containing the desired product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product.

Step B: 4-Acetylamino-5-bromo-7- (2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-2-C-methyl-β-Dribofuranosyl) -7H-pyrrolo [2,3-c] pyrimidine

To a pre-cooled (0 ° C) solution of the compound of Step A (460 mg, 1.00 mmol) in DMF was added N-bromosuccinimide (178 mg, 1.0 mmol) in DMF. The resulting solution was stirred at 0 ° C for 30 minutes and then at room temperature for a further 30 minutes. The reaction was quenched by the addition of methanol and the reaction mixture was evaporated under vacuum, the resulting crude mixture was purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate / hexane as eluent.

in

The fractions containing the desired product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product.

Step C: 4-Acetylamino-5-fluoro-7- (2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-2-C-methyl-3-dribofuranosyl) -7 H -pyrrolo [2,3- d] pyrimidine

To a precooled (0 ° C) solution of the compound of Step B (529 mg, 1.00 mmol) in THF was added butyllithium (2 mol.l -1).¹ in hexanes) (0.5 mL, 1.00 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred at -78 ° C for 30 minutes and quenched with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (315 mg, 1.00 mmol) in THF. The resulting solution was allowed to warm very slowly

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0103.tif" />

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0104.tif" />

The reaction mixture was poured into a stirred mixture of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and dichloromethane. The organic phase was evaporated under vacuum and treated overnight at 55 ° C in a sealed container with ammonium hydroxide. The resulting crude mixture was purified on silica gel using dichloromethane / methanol as eluent. Fractions containing the desired product were combined and evaporated under vacuum to give the desired product.

BIOLOGICAL DETERMINATION

The assays used to measure NS5B inhibition of HCV polymerase and HCV replication are described below.

The activity of the compounds of the present invention as inhibitors of HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) was measured in the following assay.

A. Determination of HCV NS5B polymerase inhibition:

This assay was used to measure the ability of the nucleoside derivatives of the present invention to inhibit the enzyme activity of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on a heteromeric RNA template.

Method:

Buffer ratios for determination: (50 μΙ-total / reaction) mmol.I '¹ Tris, pH 7.5 μΠΊοΙ.Ι '¹ EDTA mmol.l '¹ DTT (dithiothreitol) · mmol.l '¹ MgCl₂ mmol.l '¹ KCI

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0105.tif" />

0.4 U / μΙ RNAsin (Promega, 40 units / μΙ stock)

0.75 pg t500 (500-nt RNA, generated using the T7 runoff transcription sequence from the NS2 / 3 region of the hepatitis C genome)

1.6 µg purified NSB5 hepatitis C (generated with 21 amino acids C-terminally truncated) pmol.l '¹ ATP, CTP, UTP, GTP (mixture of nucleoside triphosphates) [ct-³²P] -GTP or [ot-³³P] -GTP

Compounds were tested at various concentrations up to a final concentration of 100 pmol.l -1.¹.

An appropriate volume of reaction buffer including enzyme and t500 template was prepared. The nucleoside derivatives of the present invention were pipetted into the wells of a 96-well microtiter plate. A mixture of nucleoside triphosphates (NTP) including radiolabeled GTP was also prepared and pipetted into the wells of a 96-well microtiter plate. The reaction was initiated by the addition of an enzyme template reaction solution and allowed to proceed for 1 to 2 hours at room temperature.

This reaction was stopped by the addition of 20 µl 0.5 mol.l -1.¹ EDTA solution at pH 8.0. Comparative blank reactions were also included in which the stop solution was added to the NTP mixture before addition of the reaction buffer.

μΙ of the reaction mixture was applied to DE81 (Whatman) filter discs after the reaction and allowed to dry for 30 minutes. The filters were washed with 0.3 mol / l.¹ ammonium formate solution of pH 8 (150 ml / wash until the counts per minute, i.e. cpm, was not less than 100 in a volume of 1 ml wash solution; usually 6 washes). Filters were read in 5 ml scintillation fluid using a scintillation counter.

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0106.tif" />

- 94 Percent inhibition was calculated using the following equation: Percent inhibition = [1- (cpm in test reaction - cpm in blank) / cpm in control - cpm in blank)] x 100

Representative compounds tested in the HCV NS5B polymerase assay showed less than 100 micromolar IC₅₀.

B. Determination of Inhibition of RNA Replication in HCV

The compounds of the present invention were also evaluated for their ability to influence the replication of hepatitis C virus RNA in cultured liver cells (HuH-7) containing a subgenomic HCV replicon. Details of this assay are described below. This replicon assay is a modification of the procedure described by V. Lohmann, F. Korner, JO Koch, U. Herian, L. Theilmann, and R. Bartenschlager: Replication of Sub-genomic Hepatitis C Virus RNAs in a Hepatoma Cell Line, Science 285, 110, 1999.

Method:

The in situ assay was a Ribonuclease protection, Scintillation Proximity based-plate assay (SPA). 10,000 to 40,000 cells were grown in 100 to 200 μΙ medium containing 0.8 mg / ml G418 in 96-well Cytostar plates (Amersham). Test compounds were added to the cells at various concentrations up to 100 pmol.l -1.¹ in 1% DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) at 0 to 18 hours and then cultured for 24 to 96 hours. Cells were fixed (20 minutes, 10% formaldehyde), permeabilized (20 minutes, 0.25% Triton X-100 / phosphate buffered saline, ie PBS) and hybridized (overnight, 50 ° C) with single stranded³³P RNA probe complementary to the (+) strand of NS5B (or other genes contained in the RNA viral genome). The cells were then washed, affected by RNAse

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0107.tif" />

washed, heated to 65 ° C and counted in a Top-Count. Replication inhibition was read as a decrease in counts per minute (cpm).

Human hepatic HuH-7 cells that have been selected to contain a subgenomic replicon carry a cytoplasmic RNA consisting of a non-5 'translated region (HCR) region of the HCV by a neomycin selectable marker, EMCV IRES (internal ribosome entry site) and non-structural proteins of NS3 to NS5B of hepatitis C virus followed by 3 'NTR.

Representative compounds tested in the replication assay showed less than 100 micromolar EC_S0.

The nucleoside derivatives of the present invention were also evaluated for cell toxicity and antiviral specificity in the assays described below.

C. Counterscreens

The ability of the nucleoside derivatives of the present invention to inhibit human DNA polymerases was measured in the following assays.

a, inhibition of human DNA polymerase alpha and beta:

Reaction conditions: reaction volume = 50 μΙ

Components of reaction buffer: 200 mmol.l '¹ Tris-HCl, pH 7.5

200 μg / ml bovine serum albumin 100 mmol.l '¹ KCI

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0108.tif" />

mmol.l '¹ β-mercaptoethanol 10 mmol.l '¹ MgCl₂1.6 µmol.PdA, dG, dC, dTTP and-³³P-dATP

Enzyme and template: 0.05 mg / ml DNA template with missing fish sperm sections

0.01 U / μΙ DNA polymerase alpha or beta • Preparation of DNA template with missing stretches of fish sperm:

μΙ 1 moi.l '¹ MgCl solution₂ add to 500 μΙ activated fish semen DNA (USB 70076);

Heat the mixture to 37 ° C and add exonuclease III, 65 U / μΙ (Gibco BRL 18013-011);

incubate for 5 minutes at 37 ° C;

the reaction is terminated by heating to 65 ° C for 10 minutes; aliquots of 50 to 100 μΙ are applied to Bio-spin 6 chromatography columns (Bio-Rad 732-6002) equilibrated with 20 mmol.l '¹ Tris-HCl pH 7.5;

elute by centrifugation at 1000 xg for 4 minutes;

The eluate was collected and its absorbance at 260 nm was measured to determine the concentration.

and

DNA templates were diluted to the appropriate volume with 20 mM¹ Tris-HCl pH 7.5 and the enzyme was diluted to the appropriate volume with 20 mM.¹ Tris-HCl containing 2 mmol.l '¹ β-mercaptoethanol and 100 mmol.l '¹ KCI. The template and enzyme were pipetted into microcentrifuge tubes or wells of a 96-well plate. Enzyme-free blank reactions and test compound-free blank reactions were also prepared using Buffer for

A ·· ···· · ··· • · «

- 97 dilutions of the enzyme and solvent of the test compound, respectively. The reaction was started with reaction buffer with the compounds mentioned above. This reaction was incubated for 1 hour at 37 ° C. It was then stopped by adding 20 μΙ 0.5 mol.l '¹ EDTA solution. 50 μΙ of stopped reaction was applied to Whatman DE81 filter discs and air dried. The filter discs were repeatedly washed with 150 ml 0.3 mol.l ·¹ ammonium formate solution, pH 8, until less than 100 cpm in 1 ml wash solution. Then the discs were washed twice with 150 ml absolute ethanol and once with 150 ml anhydrous ether, dried and read in 5 ml scintillation fluid.

Percent inhibition was calculated according to the following equation: Percent inhibition = [1- (cpm in test reaction - cpm in blank) / cpm in control reaction - cpm in blank)] x 100

b. inhibition of human DNA polymerase gamma:

The ability to inhibit human DNA polymerase gamma was measured in reactions that included 0.5 ng / μΙ of enzyme; 10 mmol.l '¹ dATP, dGTP, dCTP, and TTP; 2 pCi / reaction [cc-³³P1-dATP and 0.4 pg / μΙ activated fish sperm DNA (obtained from US Biochemical) in a buffer containing 20 mmol.l '¹ Tris at pH 8.2 mmol / l¹ β-mercaptoethanol, 50 mmol.l '¹ KCl, 10 mmol.l '¹ MgCl₂ and 0.1 pg / μΙ of bovine serum albumin. Reactions were allowed to proceed for 1 hour at 37 ° C and were quenched by the addition of 0.5 mol / L.¹ EDTA to a final concentration of 142 mmol.l '¹. Product formation was quantified by anion exchange filter binding and scintillation counting. Compounds were tested up to a concentration of 50 pmol -1.¹.

Percent inhibition was calculated according to the following equation: Percent inhibition = [1- (cpm in test reaction - cpm in blank) / cpm in control reaction - cpm in blank)] x 100

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0109.tif" />

The ability of the nucleoside derivatives of the present invention to inhibit HIV infectivity and HIV spread was measured in the following assays.

c. Determination of HIV infectivity

The assays were performed with a variant of HeLa Magi cells expressing both CXCR4 and CCR5, selected for low background β-galactosidase (β-gal) expression. Cells were infected for 48 hours and β-gai production by the integrated HIV-1 LTR promoter was quantified using a chemiluminescent substrate (Gaiactolight Plus, Tropix, Bedford, MA). Inhibitors were titrated (in duplicate) in two-fold serial dilutions starting at 100 pmol -1.¹; Percent inhibition at each concentration was calculated relative to control infection.

d. Inhibition of HIV spread

The ability of the compounds of the present invention to inhibit the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was measured by the method described in U.S. Patent No. 5,413,999 (May 9, 1995) and JP Vacca et al. In Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. 91, 4096-4100, 1994, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The nucleoside derivatives of the present invention were also i

were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against cultured HuH-7 liver cells containing a subgenomic HCV replicon in an assay using MTS cells as described in the assay below.

The HuH-7 cell line is described by H. Nakabayashi et al. In Cancer Res. 42, 3858, 1982.

e. Determination of cytotoxicity

- 99 ·· ·· &gt; · · » · · · · ·« «···

Cell cultures were prepared in suitable media at concentrations of approximately 1.5 x 10⁵ cells / ml for suspension cultures incubated for 3 days and 5.0 x 10⁴ cells / ml for adherent cultures, also incubated for 3 days. 99 μΙ of cell culture was transferred to the wells of a 96 well tissue culture plate and 1 μΙ of a 100-fold final concentration of test compound in DMSO was added. Plates were incubated for a specified period of time at 37 ° C and in the presence of 5% CO₂. After the incubation time, 20 μΙ of CellTiter 96 Aqueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay Reagent, MTS (Promega) was added to each well and the plates were incubated at 37 ° C for an additional period of up to 3 hours in the presence of 5% CO.₂.

Plates were then shaken to mix each well and absorbance was read at a plate reader at 490 nm. A standard curve of cells in suspension culture was determined with a known number of cells just prior to the addition of the MTS reagent. Metabolically active cells reduce MTS to formazan. Formazan absorbs at 490 nm. The absorbance at 490 nm in the presence of the compound of the invention was compared to the absorbance of the cells without the addition of any compound. Reference: A. H. Cory et al., Use of an aqueous soluble tetrazolium / formazan assay for cell growth assays in cuiture, Cancer Commun 3, 207, 1991.

The following assays were performed to determine the activity of a compound of the present invention against other RNA-dependent RNA viruses.

a. Determining the in vitro antiviral activity of the compounds against rhinovirus (inhibition of cytopathic effect).

·· ·· · ·· 44 4444 ··· ·· · 4 ·· 4 • · 444 · 4 4 4 4 4

- 100 The assay conditions are described in Sidwell and Huffman. Applicable disposable microtissue culture plates for antiviral and interferon induction studies, Appl. Microbiol. 22, 797-801 (1971).

Viruses:

Type 2 rhinovirus (RV-2) of the HGP strain was used, along with KB cells and medium (0.1% NaHCO).₃ without the addition of antibiotics) as reported by Sidwell and Huffman. The virus, obtained from the ATCC (American Type Culture Collection in Rockville, MD), originated from an adult male throat swab with mild acute upper respiratory tract disease.

Rhinovirus type 9 (RV-9), strain 211 and rhinovirus type 14 (RV-14), strain Tow, were also obtained from the ATCC at Rockville. RV-9 came from a throat wash and RV-14 came from a throat swab of a young adult with upper respiratory tract disease. Both of these viruses were used in HeLa Ohio-1 cells (Dr. Fred Hayden, Univ. Of VA), which were human vaginal epithelial cancer cells. MEM (Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium) with 5% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and 0.1% NaHCO was used as growth medium.₃.

The antiviral test medium was in all three types of MEM with the addition of 5% FBS, 0.1% NaHCO₃, 50 μ gentamicin / ml and 10 mmol.l '¹MgCl₂.

The highest concentration used in testing the compounds of the present invention was 2000 µg / ml. Virus was added to the plate approximately 5 minutes after the test compound. At the same time, the actual checks were carried out. Plates were incubated at 37 ° C in humidified air in the presence of 5% CO₂ . Cytotoxicity was monitored microscopically in control cells for morphological changes. Regression analysis

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0110.tif" />

101 -

<img file="CZ20032005A3_D0111.tif" />

cytopathic effect data (CPE data) related to virus and control data related to toxicity were provided by ED₅₀ (50% effective dose) and CC₅₀ (50% cytotoxic concentration). The selectivity index (SI) was calculated according to the formula:

SI = CC₅₀/ ED₅₀

b. Determination of in vitro antiviral activity of the compounds against Dengue virus;

Banzi virus and yellow fever virus (determination of CPE inhibition).

Assay details are provided in Sidwell and Huffman references, supra.

Viruses:

Dengue type 2 virus, a strain of New Quinea, was obtained from the Center for Disease Control. Two African monkey monkey kidney cell lines were used to cultivate the virus (Vero) and perform antiviral testing (MA-104). Yellow fever virus, strain 17D, prepared from infected mouse brain, and Banzi virus, strain H 336, isolated from a serum of a magnesium boy from South Africa, were both obtained from the ATCC. Vero cells were used with both these viruses and for assay.

Cells and media:

MA-104 cells (Bio Whittaker, Inc., Walkersville, MD) and Vero cells (ATCC) were used in Medium 199 with 5% FBS and 0.1% NaHCO.₃ without the addition of antibiotics.

The medium for the determination of Dengue, Yellow Fever and Banzi was MEM with 2% FBS, 0.18% NaHCO₃ and 50 gg gentamicin / ml.

Antiviral testing of the compounds of the present invention was performed by reference to Sidwell and Huffman et al

- 102 similarly to rhinovirus antiviral activity. Corresponding cytopathic effect (CPE) readings were obtained after 5 to 6 days for each virus.

c. Determination of in vitro antiviral activity of the compounds against West virus

Nile (determination of CPE inhibition).

Details of the assay are provided by reference to Sidwell and Huffman's work, supra. West Nile virus, a New York isolate obtained from the crow brain, was obtained from the Disease Control Center. Věro cells were grown and used as described above. The test medium was MEM with 1% FBS, 0.1% NaHCO 3₃ and 50 µg gentamicin / ml.

Antiviral testing of the compounds of the present invention was performed by reference to Sidwell and Huffman and the like. in the case of antiviral activity against rhinovirus. Corresponding cytopathic effect (CPE) readings were obtained after 5 to 6 days.

d. Determination of in vitro antiviral activity of the compounds against rhinovirus, yellow fever virus, Dengue virus, Banzi virus and West Nile virus (neutral red absorption assay).

After performing the CPE inhibition assay as described above, another method of cytopathic detection was used as described in Microtiter Assay for Interferon: Microspectrophotometric Quantitation of Cytopathic Effect, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 31. 35-38. The microplate reader from Bio-Tek Instruments Inc, model EL 309, was used to read the test plates.₅₀ and GD₅₀ were calculated as above.

• ···

Example of pharmaceutical compositions

As a specific embodiment of an oral composition containing a compound of the present invention, 50 mg of the compound of Example 1 or Example 2 is formed with finely divided lactose to provide a total amount of 580-590 mg to be filled into a hard gelatin capsule of size O.

While the present invention has been described and disclosed in relation to their specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and substitutions may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For example, an effective dosage that is different from the preferred doses mentioned above may be used due to changes in the sensitivity of humans treated for hepatitis C infections of varying severity. Similarly, the observed pharmacological response may vary depending upon the particular active compound selected or whether pharmaceutical carriers are present, as well as the type of composition and the mode of administration used. Such expected variants or differences in results are contemplated in accordance with the objects and practice of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims, and that these claims will be understood as broadly as is reasonable.

Represented by:

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