Nucleoside derivatives as inhibitors of rna-dependent rna viral polymerase

Description

FIEID OFTHE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is concerned with nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof, theirsynthesis, and their use as inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase. The compounds of the present invention are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection. They are particularly useful as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase, as inhibitors of HCV replication, and for the treatment of hepatitis C infection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem that leads to chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, in a substantial number of infected individuals, estimated to be 2-15% of the world’s population. There are an estimated 4.5 million infected people in the United States alone, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 200 million infected individuals worldwide, with at least 3 to 4 million people being infected each year. Once infected, about 20% of people clear the virus, but the rest harbor HCV the rest of their lives. Ten to twenty percent of chronically infected individuals eventually develop liver-destroying cirrhosis or cancer. The viral disease is transmitted parenterally by contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated needles, or sexually and vertically from infected mothers or carrier mothers to their offspring. CurrenttreatmentsforHCVinfection, which are restrictedto immunotherapy with recombinantinterferon-aalone or in combination with the nucleoside analog ribavirin, are of limited clinical benefit. Moreover, there is no established vaccine for HCV. Consequently, there is an urgent need for improved therapeutic agents that effectively combat chronic HCV infection. The state of the art in the treatment of HCV infection has been reviewed, and reference is made to the following publications: B. Dymock, et al., "Novel approaches to the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection," Antiviral Chemistry & Chemotherapy, 11:79-96 (2000); H. Rosen, et al., "Hepatítis 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); G.M. Lauer and B.D. Walker, "Hepatitis C Virus Infection," N. Engl. J. Med., 345:41-52 (2001); B.W. Dymock, "Emerging therapiesforhepatitis C virus infection," Emerging Drugs, 6: 13-42 (2001); and C. Crabb, "Hard-Won Advances Spark Excitement about Hepatitis C," Science: 506-507 (2001).

[0003] Different approaches to HCV therapy have been taken, which include the inhibition of viral serine proteinase (NS3 protease), helicase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B), and the development of a vaccine.

[0004] The HCV virion is an enveloped positive-strand RNA virus with a single oligoribonucleotide genomic sequence of about 9600 bases which encodes a polyprotein of about 3,010 amino acids. The protein products of the HCV gene consist of the structural proteins C, E1, and E2, and the non-structural proteins NS2, NS3, NS4A and NS4B, and NS5A and NS5B. The nonstructural (NS) proteins are believed to provide the catalytic machinery for viral replication. The NS3 protease releases NS5B, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from the polyprotein chain. HCV NS5B polymerase is required for the synthesis of a double-stranded RNA from a single-stranded viral RNA that serves as a template in the replication cycle of HCV. NS5B polymerase is therefore considered to be an essential component in the HCV replication complex [see K. Ishi, et al., ''Expression of Hepatitis C Viriis NS5B Protein: Characterization of Its RNA Polymerase Activityand RNA Bindinq," Hepatology, 29:1227-1235(1999) andV. Lohmann, etal., "Biochemical and KineticAnalyses of NS5B RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase of the Hepatitis C Virus," Virology, 249:108-118 (1998)]. Inhibition of HCV NS5B polymerase prevents formation of the double-stranded HCV RNA and therefore constitutes an attractive approach to the development of HCV-specific antiviral therapies.

[0005] It has now been found that 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 5’-triphosphate derivatives of these nucleoside compounds are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase and in particular HCV NS5B polymerase. The instant nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof are useful to treat RNA-dependent RNA viral infection and in particular HCV infection.

[0006] 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 RNA viral polymerase and in particular as inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof which are useful as inhibitors of the replication of an RNA-dependent RNA virus and in particular as inhibitors of the replication of hepatitis C virus.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof which are useful in the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection and in particular in the treatment of HCV infection. [0009] It is anotherobjectof the present inventionto provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds of the present invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof of the present invention for use as in h ibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase and in particular as inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase.

[0011] It is anotherobjectof the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereofofthe present invention for use as inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and in particular as inhibitors of HCV replication.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof of the present invention for use in the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection and in particular in the treatment of HCV infection.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof of the present invention in combination with other agents active against an RNA-dependent RNA virus and in particular against HCV.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for the inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase and in particular for the inhibition of HCV NS5B polymerase.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for the inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and in particular for the inhibition of HCV replication.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection and in particular for the treatment of HCV infection.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection in combination with other agents active against RNA-dependent RNA virus and in particularfor the treatment of HCV infection in combination with other agents active against HCV.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof and their pharmaceutical compositions for use as a medicament for the inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and/or the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection and in particular for the inhibition of HCV replication and/or the treatment of HCV infection.

[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide for the use of the nucleoside compounds and certain derivatives thereof of the present invention and their pharmaceutical compositions forthe manufacture of a medicament for the inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and/or the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection and in particular for the inhibition of HCV replication and/or the treatment of HCV infection.

[0020] These and other objects will become readily apparent from the detailed description which follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0021] The present invention relates to compounds of structural formula I of the indicated stereochemical configuration:

<img file="IS2449B_D0001.tif" /> (l) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

wherein R¹ is C₂.₄ alkenyl, C₂.₄ alkynyl, or C_M alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxy, amino, C_V4 alkoxy, C-|.₄ alkylthio, or one to three fluorine atoms;

R² is hydrogen, fluorine, hydroxy, mercapto, alkoxy, or C_V4 alkyl; or R¹ and R² together with the carbon atom

<img file="IS2449B_D0002.tif" />

to which they are attached form a 3- to 6-membered saturated monocyclic ring system optionally containing a heteroatom selected from O, S, and NC₀.₄ alkyl;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, azido, halogen, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, 0^4 alkoxy, C₂.₄ alkenyl, C₂_4 alkynyl, and alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxy, amino, alkoxy, alkylthio, or one to three fluorine atoms;

R⁵ is hydrogen, Ο₁₄₀ alkylcarbonyl, P₃O₉H₄, P₂O₆H₃, or P(O)R¹³R¹⁴;

R⁶ and R⁷ are each independently hydrogen, methyl, hydroxymethyl, or fluoromethyl; R⁸ is hydrogen, alkyl, C2.4 alkynyl, halogen, cyano, carboxy, C14 alkyloxycarbonyl, azido, amino, C-|.4 alkylamino, di(C4_4 alkyl)amino, hydroxy, C^g alkoxy, C^g alkylthio, Ον6 alkylsulfonyl, (CV4 alkyl)0.2 aminomethyl, or C4.6 cycloheteroalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one to two groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, alkyl, and C14 alkoxy; R⁹ is hydrogen, cyano, nitro, Ο·μ3 alkyl, NHCONH₂, CONR¹²R¹², CSNR¹²R¹², COOR¹², C(=NH)NH₂, hydroxy, C^_₃ alkoxy, amino, C&lt;_₄ alkylamino, di(C₁_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 one to three groups independently selected from halogen, amino, hydroxy, carboxy, and Ci_₃ alkoxy;

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, C₁.₄alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, di(C₁₄ alkyl) amino, C₃.₆ cycloalkylamino, di(C₃.₆ cycloalkyl)amino, or C₄.₆ cycloheteroalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one to two groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, alkyl, and C^_₄ alkoxy;

each R¹² is independently hydrogen or C^g alkyl; and

R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each independently hydroxy, OCH₂CH₂SC(=O)C₁.₄ alkyl, 0CH₂0(C=0)0C₁₄ alkyl, NHCHMeCO₂Me, OCH(C.|.₄ alkyl)O(C=O)C₁.₄ alkyl, <img file="IS2449B_D0003.tif" />or<img file="IS2449B_D0004.tif" /> with the proviso that when R¹ is β-methyl and R⁴ is hydrogen or R⁴ is β-methyl and R¹ is hydrogen, R² and R³ are α-hydroxy, R¹⁰ is amino, and R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are hydrogen, then R⁹ is not cyano or CONH₂.

[0022] The compounds of formula I are useful as inhíbitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase and in particular of HCV NS5B polymerase. They are also inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and in particular of HCV replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection and in particular for the treatment of HCV infection.

[0023] Also encompassed within the present invention are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds alone or in combination with other agents active against RNA-dependent RNA virus and in particular against HCV as well as methods for the inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0024] The present invention relates to compounds of structural formula I of the indicated stereochemical configuration:

<img file="IS2449B_D0005.tif" /> (l)

<img file="IS2449B_D0006.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0007.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0008.tif" />

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

wherein R¹ is C₂.₄ alkenyl, C₂^ alkynyl, or 0_ν4 alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxy, amino, C_V4 alkoxy, Ο_ν4 alkylthio, or one to three fluorine atoms;

R² is hydrogen, fluorine, hydroxy, mercapto, alkoxy, or alkyl; or R¹ and R² together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a 3- to 6-membered saturated monocyclic ring system optionally containing a heteroatom selected from O, S, and NC₀.₄ alkyl;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, azido, halogen, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, alkoxy, C₂.₄ alkenyl, C₂.₄ alkynyl, and C_V4 alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxy, amino, C^_₄ alkoxy, C^_₄ alkylthio, or one to three fluorine atoms;

R⁵ is hydrogen, C^g alkylcarbonyl, P₃O₉H₄, P₂O₆H₃, or P(O)R¹³R¹⁴;

R⁶ and R⁷ are each independently hydrogen, methyl, hydroxymethyl, or fluoromethyl;

R⁸ is hydrogen, CV4 alkyl, C2.4 alkynyl, halogen, cyano, carboxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, azido, amino, C^_4 alkylami-no, diíC-!_4 alkyl)amino, hydroxy, Ον6 alkoxy, C-^θ alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, (C-!_4 alkyl)0.2 aminomethyl, or C4.6 cycloheteroalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one to two groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, Ον4 alkyl, and alkoxy; R⁹ is hydrogen, cyano, nitro, Ον3 alkyl, NHCONH₂, CONR¹²R¹², CSNR¹²R¹², COOR¹², C(=NH)NH₂, hydroxy, 0_ν3 alkoxy, amino, C^_₄ alkylamino, di(C.|_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 one to three groups independently selected from halogen, amino, hydroxy, carboxy, and Ο_ν3 alkoxy;

R¹⁰and R¹¹ are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, C-|.₄ alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, di(C₁_₄ alkyl) amino, C₃.₆ cycloalkylamino, di(C₃.₆ cycloalkyl)amino, or C₄.₆ cycloheteroalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted with one to two groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, 0·^ alkyl, and C-|_₄ alkoxy;

each R¹² is independently hydrogen or Ο_ν6 alkyl; and

R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each independently hydroxy, OCH₂CH₂SC(=O)C₁.₄ alkyl, OCH₂O(C=O)OC_M alkyl, NHCHMeCO₂Me, OCHÍC^ alkyl)O(C=O)C₁.₄ alkyl, <img file="IS2449B_D0009.tif" />or<img file="IS2449B_D0010.tif" /> with the proviso that when R¹ is β-methyl and R⁴ is hydrogen or R⁴ is β-methyl and R¹ is hydrogen, R² and R³ are α-hydroxy, R¹⁰ is amino, and R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, and R¹¹ are hydrogen, then R⁹ is not cyano or CONH₂.

[0025] The compounds of formula I are useful as inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase. They are also inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection. [0026] In one embodiment of the compounds of structural formula I are the compounds of structural formula II:

<img file="IS2449B_D0011.tif" /> or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

wherein

R¹ is Ο_ν3 alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxy, amino, Ο_ν3 alkoxy, Ο_ν3 alkylthio, or one

<img file="IS2449B_D0012.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0013.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0014.tif" />

to three fluorine atoms;

R² is hydroxy, fluoro, or C·^ alkoxy;

R³ is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, amino, orC^ alkoxy;

R⁵ is hydrogen, P₃0gH₄, P₂O₆H₃, or PO₃H₂;

R⁸ is hydrogen, amino, or C_w alkylamino;

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

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, amino, Ο_ν4 alkylamino, di(C₄_₄ alkyl)amino, or C₃.₆ cycloalkylamino;

with the proviso that when R¹ is β-methyl, R² and R³ are α-hydroxy, R¹⁰ is amino, and R⁵, R⁸, and R¹¹ are hydrogen, then R⁹ is not cyano or CONH₂.

[0027] In a second embodiment of the compounds of structural formula I are the compounds of structural formula II wherein:

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

R² is hydroxy, fluoro, or methoxy;

R³ is hydrogen, fluoro, hydroxy, amino, or methoxy;

R⁵ is hydrogen or P₃O₉H₄;

R⁸ is hydrogen or amino;

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

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each independently hydrogen, fluoro, hydroxy, or amino;

with the proviso that when R¹ is β-methyl, R² and R3 are α-hydroxy, R¹⁰ is amino, and R⁵, R⁸, and R¹¹ are hydrogen, then R⁹ is not cyano or CONH₂.

[0028] Illustrative but nonlimiting examples of compounds of the present invention which are useful as inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase are the following:

4-amino-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-arabinofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine, 4-methylamino-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/+pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 4-dimethylamino-7-(2-C-rnethyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c/]pyrimidine, 4-cyclopropylarnino-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(2-C-vinyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(2-C-hydroxymethyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(2-C-fluoromethyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 4-amino-5-methyl-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-a^,]pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid, 4-amino-5-bromo-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyiTolo[2,3-&lt;d|pynmidine, 4-amino-5-chloiO-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 4-amino-5-fluoro-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-nbofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 2,4-diamino-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-nbofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c/]pyrimidine, 2-amino-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 2-amino-4-cyclopropylamino-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine, 2-amino-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one, 4-amino-7-(2-C-ethyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(2-C,2-0-dimethyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c/|pyrirriidine, 7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidin-4(3/7)-one, 2-amino-5-rTiethyl-7-(2-C,2-0-dimethyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one, 4-amino-7-(3-deoxy-2-C-methyl^-D-nbofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-43-D-arabinofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 4-amino-2-fluoro-7-(2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(2,4-di-C-methyl^-D-nbofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c/|pyrimidine, and 4-amino-7-(3-deoxy-3-fluoro-2-C-methyl^-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine;

and the corresponding 5’-triphosphates;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0029] Further illustrative of the present invention are the compounds selected from the group consisting of:

4-amino-7-(2-C-methyl-p-D-arabinofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(2-C-methyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyrimidine, 4-amino-7-(2-C-fluoromethyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-cí|pyrimidine, 4-amino-5-methyl-7-(2-C-methyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c/]pyrimidine, 4-amino-5-bromo-7-(2-C-methyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, 4-amino-5-chloro-7-(2-C-methyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c/|pyrimidine, 4-amino-5-fluoro-7-(2-C-methyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine, and

4-amino-7-(2-C,2-0-dimethyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, and the corresponding 5'-triphosphates;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the nucleoside compounds of the present invention are useful as inhibitors of positive-sense single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase, inhibitors of positive-sense singlestranded RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/orforthe treatmentof positive-sense single-stranded RNA-depend-ent RNA viral infection. In a class of this embodiment, the positive-sense single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA virus is a Flaviviridae virus or a Picornaviridae virus. In a subclass of this class, the Picornaviridae virus is a rhinovirus, a poliovirus, or a hepatitis A virus. In a second subclass of this class, the Flaviviridae virus is selected from the group consisting of hepatitis C virus, yellowfevervirus, dengue virus, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Banzi virus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). In a subclass of this subclass, the Flaviviridae virus is hepatitis C virus.

[0031] Another aspect of the present invention is concerned with a method for inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase, a method for inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/or a method fortreating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection in a mammal in need thereof comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of structural formula I.

[0032] In one embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase is a positive-sensesingle-stranded RNA-dependent RNAviral polymerase. In a classofthis embodiment, the positive-sense single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase is a Flaviviridae viral polymerase or a Picornaviridaev\ra\polymer-ase. In a subclass of this class, the Picornaviridae viral polymerase is rhinovirus polymerase, poliovirus polymerase, or hepatitis A virus polymerase. In a second subclass of this class, the Flaviviridae viral polymerase is selected from the group consisting of hepatitis C virus polymerase, yellow fever virus polymerase, dengue virus polymerase, West Nile virus polymerase, Japanese encephalitis virus polymerase, Banzi virus polymerase, and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) polymerase. In a subclass of this subclass, the Flaviviridae viral polymerase is hepatitis C virus polymerase.

[0033] In a second embodiment of this aspect ofthe present invention, the RNA-dependent RNA viral replication is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA viral replication. In a class of this embodiment, the positive-sense single-stranded RNA-dependent RNA viral replication is Flaviviridae viral replication or Picornaviridae viral replication. In a subclass of this class, the Picornaviridaewal replication is rhinovirus replication, poliovirus replication, or hepatitis A virus replication. In a second subclassof this class, the Flaviviridaeviral replication is selected from the group consisting of hepatitis C virus replication, yellowfever virus replication, dengue virus replication, West Nile virus replication, Japanese encephalitis virus replication, Banzi virus replication, and bovine viral diarrhea virus replication. In a subclass of this subclass, the Flaviviridae viral replication is hepatitis C virus replication.

[0034] In a third embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the RNA-dependent RNA viral infection is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA-dependent viral infection. In a class ofthis embodiment, the positive-sense singlestranded RNA-dependent RNA viral infection is Flavivirídae viral infection or Picornaviridae viral infection. In a subclass of this class, the Picornaviridae viral infection is rhinovirus infection, poliovirus infection, or hepatitis A virus infection. In a second subclass of this class, the Flaviviridae viral infection is selected from the group consisting of hepatitis C virus infection, yellow fever virus infection, dengue virus infection, West Nile virus infection, Japanese encephalitis virus infection, Banzi virus infection, and bovine viral diarrhea virus infection. In a subclass of this subclass, the Flaviviridae viral infection is hepatitis C virus infection.

[0035] Throughout the instant application, the following terms have the indicated meanings:

[0036] The alkyl groups specified above are intended to include those alkyl groups of the designated length in either a straight or branched configuration. Exemplary of such alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, and the like.

[0037] The term "alkenyl" shall mean straight or branched chain alkenes of two to six total carbon atoms, or any number within this range (e.g., ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, etc.).

[0038] The term "alkynyl" shall mean straight or branched chain alkynes of two to six total carbon atoms, or any number within this range (e.g., ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, etc.).

[0039] The term "cycloalkyl" shall mean cyclic rings of alkanes of three to eight total carbon atoms, or any number within this range (i.e., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, or cyclooctyl).

[0040] The term "cycloheteroalkyl" is intended to include non-aromatic heterocycles containing one ortwo heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Examples of 4-6-membered cycloheteroalkyl include azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, imidazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, pip-erazinyl, and the like.

[0041] The term "alkoxy" refers to straightor branched chain alkoxides ofthe numberof carbon atoms specified (e.g., C-,.4 alkoxy), or any number within this range [i.e., methoxy (MeO-), ethoxy, isopropoxy, etc.].

[0042] The term "alkylthio" refers to straight or branched chain aIkyIsuIfides of the number of carbon atoms specified (e.g., C_M alkylthio), or any number within this range [i.e., methylthio (MeS-), ethylthio, isopropylthio, etc.].

[0043] The term "alkylamino" refers to straight or branched alkylamines of the number of carbon atoms specified (e.g., C_V4 alkylamino), or any number within this range [i.e., methylamino, ethylamino, isopropylamino, t-butylamino, etc.].

[0044] The term "alkylsulfonyl" refers to straight or branched chain alkylsulfones of the number of carbon atoms specified (e.g., C-μθ alkylsulfonyl), or any number within this range [i.e., methylsulfonyl (MeSO₂-), ethylsulfonyl, isopro-pylsulfonyl, etc.].

[0045] The term "alkyloxycarbonyl" refers to straight or branched chain esters of a carboxylic acid derivative of the present invention of the numberof carbon atoms specified (e.g., C·^ alkyloxycarbonyl), or any numberwithin this range [i.e., methyloxycarbonyl (MeOCO-), ethyloxycarbonyl, or butyloxycarbonyl].

[0046] The term "aryl" includes both phenyl, naphthyl, and pyridyl. The aryl group is optionally substituted with one to three groups independently selected from alkyl, halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, C₁₄ alkoxy, and C-, _₄ alkylthio.

[0047] The term "halogen" is intended to include the halogen atoms fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

[0048] The term "substituted" shall be deemed to include multiple degrees of substitution by a named substituent. Where multiple substituent moieties are disclosed orclaimed, the substituted compound can be independently substituted by one or more of the disclosed or claimed substituent moieties, singly or plurally.

[0049] The term "5’-triphosphate" refers to a triphosphoric acid esterderivative of the 5’-hydroxyl group of a nucleoside compound of the present invention having the following general structural formula III:

<img file="IS2449B_D0015.tif" /> wherein R¹-R¹¹ are as defined above. The compounds of the present invention are also intended to include pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the triphosphate ester as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of 5'-monophosphate and 5’-diphosphate ester derivatives of the structural formulae IV and V, respectively,

<img file="IS2449B_D0016.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0017.tif" /> [0050] The term "5’-(S-acyl-2-thioethyl)phosphate" or "SATE" refers to a mono- or di-ester derivative of a 5’-mono-phosphate nucleoside derivative of the present invention of structural formulae VI and VII, respectively, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the mono-ester, <img file="IS2449B_D0018.tif" /> [0051] The term "composition", as in "pharmaceutical composition," is intended to encompass a product comprising the active ingredient(s) and the inert ingredient(s) that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients, orfrom dissociation of one or more of the ingredients, or from other types of reactions or interactions of one or more of the ingredients. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention encompass any composition made by admixing a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0052] The terms ''administration of' and "administering a” compound should be understood to mean providing a

<img file="IS2449B_D0019.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0020.tif" />

compound of the invention or a prodrug of a compound of the invention to the individual in need.

[0053] Another aspect of the present invention is concerned with a method of inhibiting HCV NS5B polymerase, inhibiting HCV replication, or treating HCV infection with a compound of the present invention in combination with one or more agents useful for treating HCV infection. Such agents active against HCV include, but are not limited to, ribavirin, levovirin, viramidine, thymosin alpha-1, interferon-α, pegylated interferon-a (peginterferon-α), a combination of interfer-on-a and ribavirin, a combination of peginterferon-α and ribavirin, a combination of interferon-α and levovirin, and a combination of peginterferon-α and levovirin. Interferon-α includes, but is not limited to, recombinant interferon-a2a (such as Roferon interferon available from Hoffmann-LaRoche, Nutley, NJ), pegylated interferon-a2a (Pegasys™), interferon-a2b (such as Intron-A interferon available from Schering Corp., Kenilworth, NJ), pegylated interferon-a2b (Peglntron™), a recombinant consensus interferon (such as interferon alphacon-1), and a purified interferon-α product. Amgen's recombinant consensus interferon has the brand name Infergen®. Levovirin is the L-enantiomer of ribavirin which has shown immunomodulatory activity similar to ribavirin. Viramidine represents an analog of ribavirin disclosed in WO 01/60379 (assigned to ICN Pharmaceuticals). In accordance with this method of the present invention, the individual components ofthe combination can be administered separately at differenttimesduring the course oftherapy or concurrently in divided or single combination forms. The instant invention is therefore to be understood as embracing all such regimes of simultaneous or alternating treatment, and the term "administering" is to be interpreted accordingly. It will be understood that the scope of combinations of the compounds of this invention with other agents useful for treating 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 active against HCV, the dose of each compound may be either the same as or different from the dose when the compound is used alone.

[0054] For the treatment of HCV infection, the compounds of the present invention may also be administered in combination with an agent that is an inhibitor of HCV NS3 serine protease. HCV NS3 serine protease is an essential viral enzyme and has been described to be an excellent target for inhibition of HCV replication. Both substrate and nonsubstrate based inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease inhibitors are disclosed in WO 98/22496, WO 98/46630, WO 99/07733, WO 99/07734, WO 99/38888, WO 99/50230, WO 99/64442, WO 00/09543, WO 00/59929, and GB-2337262. HCV NS3 protease as a target for the development of inhibitors of HCV replication and for the treatment of HCV infection is discussed in B.W. Dymock, "Emerging therapies for hepatitis C virus infection," Emerging Drugs, 6: 13-42 (2001). [0055] Ribavirin, levovirin, and viramidine mayexerttheiranti-HCV effectsby modulating intracellularpoolsofguanine nucleotides via inhibition of the intracellular enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). IMPDH is the rate-limiting enzyme on the biosynthetic route in de novoguanine nucleotide biosynthesis. Ribavirin is readily phosphorylated intracellularly and the monophosphate derivative is an inhibitor of IMPDH. Thus, inhibition of IMPDH represents another useful target for the discovery of inhibitors of HCV replication. Therefore, the compounds of the present invention may also be administered in combination with an inhibitor of IMPDH, such asVX-497, which is disclosed in WO 97/41211 and WO 01/00622 (assigned to Vertex); another IMPDH inhibitor, such as that disclosed in WO 00/25780 (assigned to Bristol-MyersSquibb);ormycophenolate mofetil[seeA.C. Allisonand E.M.Euqui.AgentsAction, 44 (Suppl.): 165(1993)]. [0056] For the treatment of HCV infection, the compounds of the present invention may also be administered in combination with the antiviral agent amantadine (1-aminoadamantane) [for a comprehensive description of this agent, see J. Kirschbaum, Anal. Profiles Drug Subs. 12: 1-36 (1983)].

[0057] By "pharmaceutically acceptable" is meant that the carrier, diluent, or excipient must be compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

[0058] Also included within 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 the 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 process for making a pharmaceutical composition comprising combining any of the compounds described above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. [0059] Also included within the present invention are pharmaceutical compositions useful for inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase in particular HCVNS5B polymerase comprisingan effective amount of a compound ofthe present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection in particular HCV infection are also encompassed by the present invention as well as a method of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase in particular HCV NS5B polymerase and a method of treating RNA-dependent viral replication and in particular HCV replication. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of another agent active against RNA-dependent RNA virus and in particular against HCV. Agents active against HCV include, but are not limited to, ribavirin, levovirin, viramidine, thymosin alpha-1, an inhibitor of HCV NS3 serine protease, interferon-α, pegylated interferon-a (peginterferon-α), a combination of interferon-α and ribavirin, a combination of peginterferon-α and ribavirin, a combination of interferon-α and levovirin, and a combination of peginterferon-α and levovirin. Interferon-a includes, but is not limited to, recombinant interferona2a (such as Roferon interferon available from Hoffmann-LaRoche, Nutley, NJ), interferon-a2b (such as Intron-A interferon available from Schering Corp., Kenilworth, NJ), a consensus interferon, and a purified interferon-α product. Fora discussion of ribavirin and its activity against HCV, see J.O. Saunders and S.A. Raybuck, "Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase: Consideration of Structure, Kinetics, and Therapeutic Potential," Ann. Rep. Med. Chem., 35: 201-210 (2000).

[0060] Another aspect of the present invention provides for the use of the nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof and their pharmaceutical compositionsforthe manufacture ofa medicamentfor the inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, in particular HCV replication, and/or the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection, in particular HCV infection. Yet a further aspect of the present invention provides for the nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof and their pharmaceutical compositions for use as a medicament for the inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, in particular HCV replication, and/or for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection, in particular HCV infection.

[0061] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise a compound of structural formula I as an active ingredient or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and may also contain a pharmaceutically acceptable carrierand optionally other therapeutic ingredients.

[0062] The compositions include compositions suitable for oral, rectal, topical, parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramusciilar, and intravenous), ocular (ophthalmic), pulmonary (nasal or buccal inhalation), or nasal administration, although the most suitable route in any given case will depend on the nature and severity ofthe conditions being treated and on the nature of the active ingredient. They may be conveniently presented in unit dosage form and prepared by any of the methods well-known in the art of pharmacy.

[0063] In practical use, the compounds of structural formula I can be combined as the 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, e.g., oral or parenteral (including intravenous). In preparing the compositionsfor oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed, such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations, such as, for example, suspensions, elixirs and solutions; or carriers such as starches, sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of oral solid preparations such as, for example, powders, hard and soft capsules and tablets, with the solid oral preparations being preferred over the liquid preparations.

[0064] Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. If desired, tablets may be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueous techniques. Such compositions and preparations should contain at least 0.1 percent of active compound. The percentage of active compound in these compositions may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between about 2 percent to about 60 percent of the weight of the unit. The amount of active compound in such therapeutically useful compositions is such that an effective dosage will be obtained. The active compounds can also be administered intranasally as, for example, liquid drops or spray.

[0065] The tablets, pills, capsules, and the like may also contain a binder such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; and a sweetening agent such as sucrose, lactose or saccharin. When a dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier such as a fatty oil. [0066] Various other materials may be present as coatings or to modify the physical form of the dosage unit. For instance, tablets may be coated with shellac, sugar or both. A syrup or elixir may contain, in addition to the active ingredient, sucrose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and a flavoring such as cherry or orange flavor.

[0067] 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 hydroxy-propylcellulose. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols and mixtures thereof in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

[0068] The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. In all cases, the form must be sterile and must be fluid to the extent that easy sy ringa bility 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 thereof, and vegetable oils.

[0069] Any suitable route of administration may be employed for providing a mammal, especially a human with an effective dosage of a compound of the present invention. For example, oral, rectal, topical, parenteral, ocular, pulmonary, nasal, and the like may be employed. Dosage forms include tablets, troches, dispersions, suspensions, solutions, cap-sules, creams, ointments, aerosols, and the like. Preferably compounds of structural formula I are administered orally.

[0070] For oral administration to humans, the dosage range is 0.01 to 1000 mg/kg body weight in divided doses. In one embodimentthe dosage range is 0.1 to 100 mg/kg body weight in divided doses. In another embodimentthedosage range is 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 milligrams ofthe active ingredient, particularly, 1,5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 800, 900, and 1000 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated.

[0071] The effective dosage of active ingredient employed may vary depending on the particular compound employed, the mode of administration, the condition being treated and the severity of the condition being treated. Such dosage may be ascertained readily by a person skilled in the art. This dosage regimen may be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic response.

[0072] The compounds of the present invention contain one or more asymmetric centers and can thus occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures and individual diastereomers. The present invention is meant to comprehend nucleoside compounds having the β-D stereochemical configuration for the fivemembered furanose ring as depicted in the structural formula below, that is, nucleoside compounds in which the substituents at C-1 and C-4 of the five-membered furanose ring have the β-stereochemical configuration ("up" orientation as denoted by a bold line).

<img file="IS2449B_D0021.tif" /> [0073] Some of the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds, and unless specified otherwise, are meant to include both E and Z geometric isomers.

[0074] Some of the compounds described herein may exist as tautomers such as keto-enol tautomers. The individual tautomers as well as mixtures thereof are encompassed with compounds of structural formula I. An example of ketoenol tautomers which are intended to be encompassed within the compounds of the present invention is illustrated below:

<img file="IS2449B_D0022.tif" /> [0075] Compounds of structural formula I may be separated into their individual diastereoisomers by, for example, fractional crystallization from a suitable solvent, for example methanol or ethyl acetate or a mixture thereof, or via chiral chromatography using an optrcally active stationary phase.

[0076] Alternatively, any stereoisomer of a compound of the structural formula I may be obtained by stereospecific synthesis using optically pure starting materials or reagents of known configuration.

[0077] The stereochemistry of the substituents at the C-2 and C-3 positions of the furanose ring of the compounds of

<img file="IS2449B_D0023.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0024.tif" />

the present invention of structural formula I is denoted by squiggly lines which signifies that substituents R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ can have either the α (substituent "down") or β (substituent "up") configuration independently of one another. Notation of stereochemistry by a bold line as at C-1 and C-4 of the furanose ring signifies that the substituent has the β-configuration (substituent "up").

<img file="IS2449B_D0025.tif" /> [0078] 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 basíc compounds encompassed within the term ''pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refer to non-toxic salts of the compounds of this invention which are generally prepared by reacting the free base with a suitable organic or inorganic acid. Representative salts of basic compounds of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following: acetate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bícarbonate, bisulfate, bitartrate, borate, bromide, camsylate, carbonate, chloride, clavulanate, citrate, dihy-drochloride, edetate, edisylate, estolate, esylate, fumarate, gluceptate, gluconate, glutamate, glycollylarsanilate, hexy-Iresorcinate, hydrabamine, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroxynaphthoate, iodide, isothionate, lactate, lactobionate, laurate, malate, maleate, mandelate, mesylate, methylbromide, methylnitrate, methylsulfate, mucate, napsylate, nitrate, N-methylglucamine ammonium salt, oleate, oxalate, pamoate (embonate), palmitate, pantothenate, phosphate/diphos-phate, polygalacturonate, salicylate, stearate, sulfate, subacetate, succinate, tannate, tartrate, teoclate, tosylate, triethi-odide and valerate. Furthermore, where the compounds of the invention carry an acidic moiety, suitable pharmaceutically acceptablesaltsthereofinclude, butarenotlimited to, salts derived from inorganic basesincludingaluminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic, mangamous, potassium, sodium, zinc, and the like. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, cyclic amines, and basic ion-exchange resins, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, Ν,Ν-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, pip-eridine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamine, and the like.

[0079] Also, in the case of a carboxylic acid (-COOH) or alcohol group being present in the compounds of the present invention, pharmaceutically acceptable esters of carboxylic acid derivatives, such as methyl, ethyl, or pivaloyloxymethyl, or acyl derivatives of alcohols, such as acetate or maleate, can be employed. Included are those esters and acyl groups known in the art for modifying the solubility or hydrolysis characteristics for use as sustained-release or prodrug formulations.

Preparation of the Nucleoside Compounds and Derivatives of the Invention [0080] The nucleoside compounds and derivatives thereof of the present invention can be prepared following synthetic methodologies well-established in the practice of nucleoside and nucleotide chemistry. Reference is made to the following text for a description of synthetic methods used in the preparation of the compounds of the present invention: "Chemistry of Nucleosidesand Nucleotides," L.B. Townsend, ed., Vols. 1-3, Plenum Press, 1988, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0081] A representative general method for the preparation of compounds of the present invention is outlined in Scheme 1 below. This scheme iIIustrates the synthesis of compounds of the present invention of structural formula 1-7 wherein the furanose ring has the β-D-ribo configuration. The starting material is a 3,5-bis-O-protected alkyl furanoside, such as methyl furanoside, of structural formula 1-1. The C-2 hydroxyl group is then oxidized with a suitable oxidizing

<img file="IS2449B_D0026.tif" />

agent, such as a chromium trioxide or chromate reagent, Dess-Martin periodinane, or by Swem oxidation, to afford a C-2 ketone of structural formula 1-2. Addition of a Grignard reagent, such as an alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl magnesium halide (for example, MeMgBr, EtMgBr, vinylMgBr, allylMgBr, and ethynylMgBr) or an alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl lithium, such as MeLi, across the carbonyl double bond of 1-2 in a suitable organic solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, and the like, affords the C-2 tertiary alcohol of structural formula 1-3. A good leaving group (such as Cl, Br, and I) is next introduced at the C-1 (anomeric) position of the furanose sugar derivative by treatment of the furanoside of formula 1-3 with a hydrogen halide in a suitable organic solvent, such as hydrogen bromide in acetic acid, to afford the intermediate furanosyl halide 1-4. A C-1 sulfonate, such methanesulfonate (MeSO₂O-), trifluoromethanesulfonate (CF₃SO₂O-), or p-toluenesulfonate (-OTs), may also serve as a useful leaving group in the subsequent reaction to generate the glycosidic (nucleosidic) linkage. The nucleosidic linkage is constructed by treatment of the intermediate of structuralformula 1-4 withthemetalsalt(such aslithium,sodium,orpotassium)ofanappropriatelysubstituted 1H-pyrrolo [2,3-d]pyrimidine 1-5, such as an appropriately substituted 4-halo-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, which can be generated /n situ 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 alkali hexamethyldisilazide (such as NaHMDS) in a suitable anhydrous organic solvent, such as acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, or N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The displacement reaction can be catalyzed by using a phase-transfer catalyst, such as TDA-1 or triethylbenzylammonium chloride, in a two-phase system (solid-liquid or liq uid-liq uid). The optional protecting groups in the protected nucleoside of structural formula 1-6 are then cleaved following established deprotection methodologies, such as those described in T.W. Greene and P.G.M. Wuts, "Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis," 3^rd ed., John Wiley &amp; Sons, 1999. Optional introduction of an amino group at the 4-position of the pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleus is effected by treatment of the 4-halo intermediate 1-6 with the appropriate amine, such as alcoholic ammonia or liquid ammonia, to generate a primary amine at the C-4 position (-NH₂), an alkylamine to generate a secondary amine (-NHR), or a dialkylamine to generate a tertiary amine (-NRR’). A 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)one compound may be derived by hydrolysis of 1-6 with aqueous base, such as aqueous sodium hydroxide. Alcoholysis (such as methanolysis) of 1-6 affords a C-4 alkoxide (-OR), whereas treatment with an alkyl mercaptide affords a C-4 alkylthio (-SR) derivative. Subsequent chemical manipulations well-known to practitioners of ordinary skill in the art of organic/medicinal chemistry may be required to attain the desired compounds of the present invention.

Scheme 1 <img file="IS2449B_D0027.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0028.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0029.tif" /> [0082] The examples belowprovide citationsto literature publications, which contain detailsforthe preparation offinal compounds or intermediates employed in the preparation of final compounds of the present invention. The nucleoside compounds of the present invention were prepared according to procedures detailed in the following examples. The examples are not intended to be limitations on the scope of the instant invention in any way, and they should not be so construed. Those skilled in the art of nucleoside and nucleotide synthesis will readily appreciate that known variations of the conditions and processes of the following preparative procedures can be used to prepare these and other compounds of the present invention. All temperatures are degrees Celsius unless otherwise noted.

EXAMPLE1

4-Amino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-arabinofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0083] <img file="IS2449B_D0030.tif" /> [0084] To chromium trioxide (1.57 g, 1.57 mmol) in dichloromethane (DCM) (10 mL) at 0°C was added acetic anhydride (145 mg, 1.41 mmol) and then pyridine (245 mg, 3.10 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 15 min, then a solution of 7-[3,5-0-[1,1,3,3-tetrakis(1-methylethyl)-1,3-disiloxanediyl]-3-D-ribofuranosyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidin-4-amine [for preparation, see J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105: 4059 (1983)] (508 mg, 1.00 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was added. The resulting solution was stirred for 2 h and then poured into ethyl acetate (10 mL), and subsequently filtered through silica gel using ethyl acetate as the eluent. The combined filtrates were evaporated in vacuo, taken up in diethyl ether/THF (1:1) (20 mL), cooled to-78°C and methylmagnesium bromide (3M, inTHF) (3.30 mL, 10 mmol) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at -78°C for 10 min, then allowed to come to room temperature (rt) and quenched by addition of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (10 mL) and extracted with DCM (20 mL). The organic phase was evaporated in vacuo and the crude product purified on silica gel using 5% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo. 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 rt for 30 min, filtered, and evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was purified on silica gel using 10% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired compound (49 mg) as a colorless solid.

<img file="IS2449B_D0031.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0032.tif" />

1Η NMR (DMSO-dg): 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 (1H, s), 6.50 (m, 1H), 6.93 (bs, 2H), 7.33 (m, 1H), 8.02 (s, 1H).

EXAMPLE 2

4-Amino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0085]<img file="IS2449B_D0033.tif" />

Step A: 3,5-Bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-1-0-methyl-g-D-ribofuranose [0086] A mixture of 2-0-acetyl-3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-1-0-methyl-a-D-ribofuranose [for preparation, see: Helv. Chim. Acta 78: 486 (1995)] (52.4 g, 0.10 mol) in methanolic K₂CO₃ (500 mL, saturated at rt) was stirred at room temperature for 45 min. and then concentrated under reduced pressure. The oily residue was suspended in CH ₂CI₂(500 mL), washed with water (300 mL + 5 x 200 mL) and brine (200 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated to give the title compound (49.0 g) as colorless oil, which was used without further purification in Step B below.

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 3.28 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.53 (d, 2H, J₅₄ = 4.5 Hz, H-5a, H-5b), 3.72 (dd, 1H, J_{3 4} - 3.6 Hz, J_{3 2} = 6.6 Hz, H-3), 3.99 (ddd, 1H, J₂, = 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-dg): 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-Q-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-1 -O-methyl-a-D-erythro-pentofuranos-2-ulose [0087] To an ice-cold suspension of Dess-Martin periodinane (50.0 g, 118 mmol) in anhydrous CH₂CI₂ (350 mL) under argon (Ar) was added a solution of the compound from Step A (36.2 g, 75 mmol) in anhydrous CH₂CI₂ (200 mL) dropwise over 0.5 h. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0°C for 0.5 h and then at room temperature for 3 days. The mixture was diluted with anhydrous Et₂O (600 mL) and poured into an ice-cold mixture of Na₂S₂O₃.5H₂O (180 g) in saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1400 mL). The layers were separated, and the organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃(600 mL), water (800 mL) and brine (600 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated to give the title compound (34.2 g) as a colorless oil, which was used without further purification in Step C below.

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): δ 3.50 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.79 (dd, 1H, J_{5a 5b} =11.3 Hz, J_{5a 4} = 3.5 Hz, H-5a), 3.94 (dd, 1H, J_{5b 4} = 2.3 Hz, H-5b), 4.20 (dd, 1H, J₃₁ = 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-d₆): δ 55.72, 69.41, 69.81, 69.98, 77.49, 78.00, 98.54, 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-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-methyl-1-0-methyl-g-D-ribofuranose [0088] To a solution of MeMgBr in anhydrous Et₂O (0.48 M, 300 mL) at -55 °C was added dropwise a solution of the compound from Step B (17.40 g, 36.2 mmol) in anhydrous Et₂O (125 mL). The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to -30°C and stirred for 7 h at-30°C to -15°C, then poured into ice-cold water (500 mL) and the mixture vigorously stirred at room temperature for 0.5 h. The mixture was filtered through a Celite pad (10x5 cm) which was thoroughly washed with Et₂O. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in hexanes (-30 mL), applied onto a silica gel column (10x7 cm, prepacked in hexanes) and eluted with hexanes and hexanes/EtOAc (9/1) to give the title compound (16.7 g) as a colorless syrup.

<img file="IS2449B_D0034.tif" />

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): δ 1.36 (d, 3Η, J_Me0H = 0.9 Hz, 2C-Me), 3.33 (q, 1H, OH), 3.41 (d, 1H, J₃₄ = 3.3 Hz), 3.46 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.66 (d, 2H, J_{5 4} = 3.7 Hz, H-5a, H-5b), 4.18 (apparent q, 1 Η, H-4), 4.52 (s, 1 Η, H-1), 4.60 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.63, 4.81 (2d, 2H, J_gem = 13.2 Hz, CM₂Ph), 7.19-7.26, 7.34-7.43 (2m, 10H, 2Ph).

¹³C NMR (CDCIg): 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-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-a1pyrimidine [0089] To a solution of the compound from Step C (9.42 g, 19 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (285 mL) at 0°C was added HBr (5.7 M in acetic acid, 20 mL, 114 mmol) dropwise. The resulting solution was stirred at 0°C for 1 h and then at rt for 3 h, evaporated in vacuo 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 the sodium salt of 4-chloro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(] pyrimidine in acetonitrile [generated in s/'íi/from 4-chloro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyrimidine [for preparation, see: J. Chem. Soc.: 131 (1960)] (8.76 g, 57 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (1000 mL), and NaH (60% in mineral oil, 2.28 g, 57 mmol), after 4 h of vigorous stirring at rt]. The combined mixture was stirred at rt for 24 h, and then evaporated to dryness. The residue was suspended in water (250 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (2 x 500 mL). The combined extracts were washed with brine (300 mL, dried over Na₂SO₄, 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 theeluent. Fractionscontaining the productwerecombined and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (5.05 g) as a colorless foam.

¹H NMR (CDCI3): δ 0.93 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.09 (s, 1H, OH), 3.78 (dd, 1H, J₅·^ = 10.9 Hz, J₅&gt;₄ = 2.5 Hz, H-5’), 3.99 (dd, 1H, J₅·· 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 = 12.1 Hz, CH₂Ph), 6.54 (d, 1H„ J_5fi = 3.8 Hz, H-5), 7.23-7.44 (m, 10H, 2Ph).

¹³C NMR (CDCIg): δ 21.31, 69.10, 70.4Ϊ, 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-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7F/-pyrrolo[2,3-tf]pyrimidine [0090] To a solution of the compound from Step D (5.42 g, 8.8 mmol) in dichloromethane (175 mL) at -78°C was added boron trichloride (1M in dichloromethane, 88 mL, 88 mmol) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at -78°C for 2.5 h, then at -30°C to -20°C for 3h. The reaction was quenched by addition of methanol/dichloromethane (1:1) (90 mL) and the resulting mixture stirred at -15°C for 30 min., then neutralized with aqueous ammonia at 0°C and stirred at rt for 15 min. The solid was filtered and washed with CH₂CI₂/MeOH (1/1,250 mL). The combined filtrate was evaporated, and the residue was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using CH₂CI₂ and CH₂CI₂:MeOH (99:1,98:2,95:5 and 90:10) gradientas the eluent tofurnish desired compound (1.73 g) as a colorless foam, which turned intoan amorphous solid after treatment with MeCN.

¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆): 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, J₅₆ = 3.8 Hz, H-5), 8.13 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.65 (s,1H, H-2). ’ ¹³C NMR (DMSO-dg): 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-P-D-ribofiiranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine [0091] To the compound from Step E (1.54 g, 5.1 mmol) was added methanolic ammonia (saturated at 0°C; 150 mL). The mixture was heated in a stainless steel autoclave at 85°Cfor 14 h, then cooled and evaporated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified on a silica gel column with CH₂CI₂/MeOH (9/1) as eluent to give the title compound as a colorless foam (0.8 g), which separated as an amorphous solid after treatment with MeCN. The amorphous solid was recrystallized from methanol/acetonitrile; m.p. 222°C.

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) 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’-OH), 5.04 (d, 1H, J_3Oh,₃· = 6.8 Hz, 3'-OH), 5.06 (t, 1H, J_5Oh,5\5· = 5.1 Hz, 5’-OH), 6.11 (s, 1H, H-1'), 6.54 (d, 1H, J₅₆= 3.6 Hz, H-5), 6.97 (br’s, 2H, NH₂), 7.44 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.02 (s, 1H, H-2). ' ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d6) 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 (M-H⁺); calc. for C12H₁₆N₄O₄+H⁺: 279.11.

EXAMPLE 3

4-Amino-7-(2-C-ethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7F/-pyrrolo[2,3-c/|pyrimidine [0092] <img file="IS2449B_D0035.tif" />

Step A: 3,5-Bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-ethyl-1-0-methyl-a-D-ribofuranose [0093] To diethyl ether (300 mL) at -78°C was slowly added EtMgBr (3.0 M, 16.6 mL) 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 min, allowed to warm to -15°C and stirred for another 2 h, and then poured into a stirred mixture of water (300 mL) and Et₂O (600 mL). The organic phase was separated, dried (MgSO₄), and evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate/hexane (1:2) as eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo 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-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-7/7-pyrrolo|'2,3-d]pyrimidine [0094] To a solution of the compound from Step A (1.02 mg, 2.0 mmol) in dichloromethane (40 mL) was added HBr (5.7 M in acetic acid) (1.75 mL, 10.0 mmol) dropwise at 0°C. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 h, evaporated in vacuo and co-evaporated twice from toluene (10 mL). The oily residue was dissolved in acetonitrile (10 mL) and added toa vigorouslystirred mixtureof4-chloro-1H-pyrrolo(2,3-c(]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 at rtovernight, 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 MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. 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-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/7-pyrrolo[2,3-cy|pyrimidine [0095] To a solution of the compound from Step B (307 mg, 0.45 mmol) in dichloromethane (8 mL) was added boron trichloride (1M in dichloromethane) (4.50 mL, 4.50 mmol) at -78°C. The mixture was stirred at -78°Cfor 1 h, then at-10°C for 3h. The reaction was quenched by addition of methanol/dichloromethane (1:1) (10 mL), stirred at -15°C for 30 min, and neutralized by addition of aqueous ammonium hydroxide. The mixture was evaporated under diminished pressure and the resulting oil purified on silica gel using methanol/dichloromethane (1:9) as eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuoto give the desired product (112 mg) as a colorless foam.

Step D: 4-Amino-7-(2-C-ethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0096] To the compound from Step C (50 mg, 0.16 mmol) was added saturated ammonia in methanol (4 mL). The mixture was stirred at 75°C for 72 h in a closed container, cooled and evaporated /n vacuo. The crude mixture was purified on silica gel using methanol/dichloromethane (1:9) as eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (29 mg) as a colorless powder.

¹HNMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.52 (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⁺); calc. for C₁₃H₁₈N₄O₄+H⁺: 295.14.

EXAMPLE 4

2-Amino-7-(2-C-methyl-6-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyrimidin-4(3/-/)-one [0097]

<img file="IS2449B_D0036.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0037.tif" />

Step A:2-Amino-4-chloro-7-[3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-tf|py-rimidine [0098] To an ice-cold solution of the product from Step C of Example 2 (1.27 g, 2.57 mmol) in CH₂CI₂ (30 mL) was added HBr (5.7 M in acetic acid; 3 mL) dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for2 h, concentrated under diminished pressure and coevaporated with toluene (2x15 mL). The resulting oil was dissolved in acetonitrile (MeCN) (15 mL) and added dropwise into a well-stirred mixture of 2-amino-4-chloro-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine [for preparation, see Heterocycles 35: 825 (1993)] (433 mg, 2.57 mmol), KOH (85%, powdered) (0.51 g, 7.7 mmol), tris-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl]amine (165 |xl_, 0.51 mmol) in acetonitrile (30 ml_). The resulting mixture was stirred at rt for 1 h, filtered and evaporated. The residue was purified on a silica gel column using hexanes/EtOAc, 5/1,3/1 and 2/1, as eluent to give the title compound as a colorless foam (0.65 g).

Step B: 2-Amino-4-chloro-7-(2-C-methyl-8-D-ribofuranosyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-a1pyrimidine [0099] To a solution of the product from Step A (630 mg, 1.0 mmol) in CH₂CI₂ (20 mL) at -78°C was added boron trichlo ride (1M in CH₂CI₂) (10 mL, 10 mmol). The mixture was stirred at -78°C for 2 h, then at -20°C for 2.5 h. The reaction was quenched with CH₂CI₂/MeOH (1:1)(10 mL), stirred at -20°C for 0.5 h, and neutralized at 0°C with aqueous ammonia. The solid wasfiltered, washed with CH₂CI₂/MeOH (1:1) and the combined filtrate evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified on a silica gel column with CH₂CI₂/MeOH, 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-8-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-a^f]pyrimidin-4(3/^)-one [0100] A mixture of the product from Step B (90 mg, 0.3 mmol) in aqueous NaOH (2N, 9 mL) was heated at reflux temperature for 5 h, then neutralized at 0°C with 2 N aqueous HCI and evaporated to dryness. Purification on a silica gel column with CH₂CI₂/MeOH, 5/1, as eluent afforded the title compound as a white solid (70 mg).

¹H NMR (200 MHz, CD₃OD): 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-8-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyrimidine [0101]

<img file="IS2449B_D0038.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0039.tif" /> [0102] Asolutionof2-amino-4-chloro-7-(2-C-methyl-þ-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine(Example4, Step B) (21 mg, 0.07 mmol) in cyclopropylamine (0.5 ml_)was heated at 70°Cfortwo days, then evaporated to an oily residue and purified on a silicagelcolumn with CH₂CI₂/MeOH, 20/1, as eluentto give the title compound asa white solid (17 mg). ¹H NMR (200 MHz, CD₃CN): 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), 7.00 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H).

EXAMPLE 6

4-Amino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile [0103] <img file="IS2449B_D0040.tif" /> [0104] This compound was prepared following procedures described by Y. Murai et al. in Heterocycles 33: 391-404 (1992).

EXAMPLE 7

4-Amino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/7-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine-5-carboxamide [0105]

<img file="IS2449B_D0041.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0042.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0043.tif" /> [0106] This compound was prepared following procedures described by Y. Murai et al. in Heterocycles 33: 391-404 (1992).

EXAMPLE 8

General process to SATE prodrug moiety [0107] S-Acyl-2-thioethyl (SATE) pronucleotides are discussed in C.R. Wagner, V.V. lyer, and E.J. Mclntee, "Pronu-cleotides: Toward the In Vivo Delivery of Antiviral and Anticancer Nucleotides," Med. Res. Rev., 20: 1-35 (2000), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. SATE derivatives of nucleosides are also disclosed U.S. Patent Nos. 5,770,725; 5,849,905; and 6,020,482, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Bis(S-acetyl-2-thioethyl)-A/,A/-diisopropylphosphoramidite [0108] 2-Mercaptoethanol (5 g, 64 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂CI₂ (50 mL). 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 in 10 min., and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was then allowed to come to room temperature over a period of 2 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH₂CI₂ (50 mL), washed with water (75 mL), 5% aqueous NaHCO₃ (75 mL) and brine (75 mL). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to give an oil. The oil was then dissolved in anhydrous THF (40 mL) and anhydrous triethylamine (7.76 mL) was added. To this mixture was added activated molecular sieves (4A) and was kept at room temperature for 10 min. The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath to 0°C and diisopropylphosphoramidous dichloride (6.47 g, 32.03 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 ’C for 2 h under inert atmosphere. Hexane (40 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and the precipitate formed was filtered. The filtrate was concentrated to one fourth of the volume, purified by loaded silica gel column chromatography and eluted with hexane containing 3 % triethylamine and incremental amount of ethyl acetate (0 to 7 %) to give the title compound as an oil (2.36 g).

¹H NMR (CDCI3): δ1.17 (s, 6H), 1.21 (s, 6H), 2.36 (s, 6H), 3.14 (t, J= 6.44 Hz), 3.51-3.84 (m, 6H); 1³C NMR (CDCI3): 6 24.47, 24.61,30.48, 42.85, 43.1, 61.88, 62.23, 195.26; ¹³P NMR (CDCI₃): δ 146.96.

EXAMPLE 9

5'-Triphosphate Derivatives [0109] The nucleoside 5’-triphosphates of the present invention were prepared following general procedures described in Chem. Rev. 100: 2047 (2000).

EXAMPLE10

Purification and Purity Analysis of 5'-Triphosphate Derivatives [0110] The triphosphate derivatives were purified by anion exchange (AX) chromatography using a 30 x 100 mm Mono Q column (Pharmacia) with a buffer system of 50 mM Tris, pH 8. Elution gradients were typically from 40 mM NaCI to 0.8 M NaCI in two column volumes at 6.5 mL/min. Appropriate fractions from anion exchange chromatography were collected and desalted by reverse-phase (RP) chromatography using a Luna C 18 250 x 21 mm column (Phenomenex) with a flow rate of 10 mL/min. Elution gradients were generally from 1% to 95% methanol in 14 min at a constant

<img file="IS2449B_D0044.tif" />

concentration of 5 mM triethylammonium acetate (TEAA).

[0111] Mass spectra of the purified triphosphates were determined using on-line HPLC mass spectrometry on a Hewlett-Packard (Palo Alto, CA) MSD 1100. A PhenomenexLuna (C18(2)), 150 x 2 mm, plus 30 x 2 mm guard column,

3-μΓη particle size was used for RP HPLC. A 0 to 50% linear gradient (15 min) of acetonitrile in 20 mM TEAA (triethylammonium acetate) pH 7 was performed in series with mass spectral detection in the negative ionization mode. Nitrogen gas and a pneumatic nebulizer were used to generate the electrospray. The mass range of 150-900 was sampled. Molecular masses were determined using the HP Chemstation analysis package.

[0112] The purity of the purified triphosphates was determined by analytical RP and AX HPLC. RP HPLC with a Phenomonex Luna or Jupiter column (250 x 4.6 mm), 5-μηι particle size was typically run with a 2-70% acetonitrile gradient in 15 min in 100 mM TEAA, pH 7. AX HPLC was performed on a 1.6 x 5 mm Mono Q column (Pharmacia). Triphosphates were eluted with a gradient of 0 to 0.4 M NaCI at constant concentration of 50 mM Tris, pH 8. The purity of the triphosphates was generally &gt;80%.

EXAMPLE11

5’-Monophosphate Derivatives [0113] The nucleoside 5’-monophosphates of the present invention were prepared following the general procedures described in Tetrahedron Lett. 50: 5065 (1967).

EXAMPLE 12

Mass Spectral Characterization of 5’-Triphosphate Derivatives [0114] Mass spectra of 5’-triphosphates of the compounds of the present invention were determined as described in Example 10. Listed in thefollowingtable are the calculated and experimental massesfor representative 5’-triphosphates prepared according to the procedures of Example 9. The example numbers correspond to the parent compound of the 5’-triphosphate.

<img file="IS2449B_D0045.tif" />

EXAMPLE 13 [4-Amino-7-(2-C^Lmethyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|-pyrimidine]-5’-monophosphate [0115] <img file="IS2449B_D0046.tif" /> [0116] To the compound from Step F of Example 2 (14 mg, 0.05 mmol) (dried by coevaporation with pyridine and

<img file="IS2449B_D0047.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0048.tif" />

several 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 phosphorous oxychloride (0.0070 mL, 0.075 mmol) was added via a syringe. The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 0°C, then the reaction was quenched by addition of tetraethylammonium bicarbonate (TEAB) (1M) (0.5 mL) and water (5 mL). The reaction mixture was purified and analyzed according to the procedure described in Example 10.

Electron spray mass spectrum (ES-MS): Found: 359.2 (M-H⁺), calc. for C₁₂H₁₇N₄O₇P-H⁺: 359.1.

EXAMPLE14 [4-Amino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]-pyrimidine]-5’-diphosphate [0117] <img file="IS2449B_D0049.tif" /> [0118] To the compound from Step F of Example 2 (56 mg, 0.20 mmol) (dried by coevaporation with pyridine and several times with toluene) was added trimethyl phosphate (stored over sieves) (1.0 mL). The mixture was stirred overnight in a sealed container. It was then cooled to 0°C and phosphorous oxychloride (0.023 mL, 0.25 mmol) was added via a syringe. The mixture was stirred for 2 h at 0°C, then tributylamine (0.238 mL, 1.00 mmol) and tributylammonium phosphate (generated from phosphoric acid and tributylamine in pyridine, followed by repeated azeotropic evaporation with pyridine and acetonitrile) (1.0 mmol in 3.30 mL acetonitrile) was added. The mixture was stirred for an additional 30 min at 0°C, the sealed vial was then opened and the reaction quenched by addition of TEAB (1M) (1.0 mL) and water (5 mL). The reaction mixture was purified and analyzed according to the procedure described in Example 10.

ES-MS: Found: 439.0 (M-H⁺), calc. for C₁₂H₁₈N₄O₁₀P₂- H⁺: 439.04.

EXAMPLE 15 [4-Amino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|-pyrimidine]-5’-triphosphate [0119] <img file="IS2449B_D0050.tif" /> [0120] To the compound from Step F of Example 2 (20 mg, 0.07 mmol) (dried by coevaporation with pyridine and several times with toluene) was added 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 phosphorous oxychloride (0.0070 mL, 0.075 mmol) was

<img file="IS2449B_D0051.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0052.tif" />

added via syringe. The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 0°C, then tributylamine (0.083 mL, 0.35 mmol), tributylammonium pyrophosphate (127 mg, 0.35 mmol)and acetonitrile (stored oversieves) (0.25 mL) wereadded. The mixture wasstirred for an additional 30 min at 0°C, the sealed vial was then opened and the reaction quenched by addition of TEAB (1M) (0.5 mL) and water (5 mL). The reaction mixture was purified and analyzed according to the procedure described in Example 10.

ES-MS: Found: 519.0 (M-H⁺), calc. for C₁₂H₁₉N₄O₁₃P₃- H⁺: 519.01.

EXAMPLE 16

7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyrimidin-4(3/-/)-one [0121] <img file="IS2449B_D0053.tif" /> [0122] To the compound from Step E of Example 2 (59 mg, 0.18 mmol) was added aqueous sodium hydroxide (1M). The mixture was heated to reflux for 1 hr, cooled, neutralized with aqueous HCI (2M) and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified on silica gel using dichloromethane/methanol (4:1) as eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (53 mg) as a colorless oil.

¹H NMR (CD₃CN): 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-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-&lt;i]pyrimidine [0123] <img file="IS2449B_D0054.tif" /> [0124] To a pre-cooled solution (0°C) of the compound from Step F of Example 2 (140 mg, 0.50 mmol) in DMF (2.5 mL) was added W-chlorosuccinimide (0.075 g, 0.55 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) dropwise. The solution was stirred at rt for 1 h and the reaction quenched by addition of methanol (4 mL) and evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was purified on silica gel using methanol/dichloromethane (1:9) as eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (55 mg) as a colorless solid.

¹H NMR (CD3CN): δ 0.80 (s, 3H), 3.65-4.14 (overlapping m, 7H), 5.97 (s br,2H), 6.17 (s, 1H), 7.51 (s, 1H), 8.16 (s, 1H). ES-MS: Found: 315.0 (M+H⁺), calc.for C12H₁₅CIN₄O₄ + H⁺: 315.09.

<img file="IS2449B_D0055.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0056.tif" />

EXAMPLE18

4-Amino-5-bromo-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0125] <img file="IS2449B_D0057.tif" /> [0126] Το a pre-cooled solution (0°C) of the compound from Step F of Example 2 (28 mg, 0.10 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) was added M-bromosuccinimide (0.018 g, 0.10 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) dropwise. The solution was stirred at 0°C for 20 min, then at rt for 10 min. The reaction was quenched by addition of methanol (4 mL) and evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was purified on silrca gel using methanol/dichloromethane (1:9) as eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (13.0 mg) as a colorless solid.

¹H NMR (CD3CN): δ 0.69 (s, 3H), 3.46-4.00 (overlapping m, 7H), 5.83 (s br, 2H), 6.06 (s, 1H), 7.45 (s, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H). ES-MS: Found: 359.1 (M+H⁺), calc.for C12H₁₅BrN₄O₄+ H⁺: 359.04.

EXAMPLE 19

2-Amino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine [0127] <img file="IS2449B_D0058.tif" /> [0128] A mixture of 2-amino-4-chloro-7-(2-C-methyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine (Example4, Step B) (20 mg, 0.07 mmol) in EtOH (1.0 mL), pyridine (0.1 mL) and 10% Pd/C (6 mg) under H₂ (atmospheric pressure) was stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was filtered through a Celite pad which was thorougly washed with EtOH. The combined filtrate was evaporated and purified on a silica gel column with CH₂CI₂/MeOH, 20/1 and 10/1, as eluentto give the title compound as a white solid (16 mg).

1H NMR (200 MHz, CD₃OD); δ 0.86 (s, 3H, 2'C-Me), 3.82 (dd, J₅.₄.= 3.6 Hz, J₅,₅·· = 12.7 Hz, 1H, 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, Η-Γ), 6.41 (d, J₅₆ = 3.8 Hz, 1H, H-5), 7.39 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.43 (s, 1 Η, H-4). ES MS: 281.4 (MH⁺). ’

EXAMPLE 20

2-Amino-5-methyl-7-(2-C,2-0-dimethyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyrimidin-4(3/-/)-one [0129]

<img file="IS2449B_D0059.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0060.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0061.tif" />

Step A: 2-Amino-4-chloro-7-[3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-5-methyl-7/7-pyrrolo [2,3-d|pyrimidine [0130] Το an ice-cold solution of the product from Step C of Example 2 (1.57 g, 3.16 mmol) in CH₂CI₂ (50 mL) was added HBr (5.7 M in acetic acid; 3.3 mL) dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0°C for 1 h and then at room temperature for 2 h, concentrated in vacuo and co-evaporated with toluene (2 x 20 mL). The resulting oil was dissolved in MeCN (20 mL) and added dropwise to a solution of the sodium salt of 2-amino-4-chloro-5-methyl-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(] pyrimidine in acetonitrile [generated in s/fufrom 2-amino-4-chloro-5-methyl-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]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, 6.2 mmol), after 2 h of vigorous stirring at rt]. The combined mixture was stirred at rt for 24 h and then evaporated to dryness. The residue was suspended in water (100 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (300 + 150 mL). The combined extracts were washed with brine (100 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude product was purified on a silica gel column (5x7 cm) using ethyl acetate/hexane (0 to 30% EtOAc in 5% step gradient) as the eluent. Fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (0.96 g) as a colorless foam.

Step B: 2-Amino-4-chloro-7-[3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C,2-Q-dimethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-5-methyl-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine [0131] To an ice-cold mixture of the product from Step A (475 mg, 0.7 mmol) in THF (7 mL) was added NaH (60% in mineral oil, 29 mg) and stirred at 0 °C for 0.5 h. Then Mel (48 μΙ_) was added and reaction mixture stirred at rt for 24 h. The reaction was quenched with MeOH and the mixture 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. Fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated to give the desired compound (200 mg) as a colorless foam.

Step C: 2-Amino-7-[3,5-bis-C&gt;-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C,2-0-dimethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-5-methyl-7/7-pyrrolo [2,3-c(]pyrimidine-4(3H)-one [0132] A mixture of the product from Step B (200 mg, 0.3 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (15 mL) and aqueous NaOH (2N, 15 mL) in a pressure bottle was heated overnight at 135 °C. The mixture was then cooled to 0 °C, neutralized with 2N aqueous HCI and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was suspended in MeOH, filtered, and the solid thoroughly washed with MeOH. The combined filtrate was concentrated, and the residue purified on a silica gel column (5x5 cm) using CH₂CI₂/MeOH (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,2-0-dimethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-tf|pyrimidin-4(3/-/)-one [0133] A mixture of the product from Step C (64 mg, 0.1 mmol) in MeOH (5 mL) and Et₃N (0.2 mL) and 10% Pd/C (24 mg) was hydrogenated on a Parr hydrogenator at 50 psi at r.t. for 1.5 days, then filtered through a Celite pad which was thoroughly washed with MeOH. The combined filtrate was evaporated and the residue purified on a silica gel column (3 x 4 cm) with CH₂CI₂/MeOH (30/1,20/1) as eluent to yield 2-amino-5-methyl-7-(5-Ö-benzyl-2-C,2-O-dimethyl-p-D-ribo-furanosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidin-4(3H)-one. The compound (37 mg) was further hydrogenated in EtOH (2 mL) with 10% Pd/C and under atmospheric pressure of hydrogen. After stirring 2 days at r.t., the reaction mixture was filtered through Celite, the filtrate evaporated and the crude product purified on a silica gel column (1x7 cm) with CH₂CI₂/ MeOH (30/1, 20/1 and 10/1) as eluentto yield the title compound (12 mg) after freeze-drying.

¹H NMR (200 MHz, CD3OD): δ 0.81 (s, 3H, 2’C-Me), 2.16 (d, ^H-6,C5-Me = ¹·^{3 Ηζ}· ^3H· C5-Me), 3.41 (s, 3H, 2'-OMe), 3.67 (dd, J5'₄ = 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, 1 Η, H-1’), 6.66 (d, 1H, H-

<img file="IS2449B_D0062.tif" />

6). ES MS: 323.3 (M-H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 21

4-Amino-5-methyl-7-(2-C-methyl-6-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0134] <img file="IS2449B_D0063.tif" />

Step A: 4-Chloro-7-[3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-methyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl]-5-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidine [0135] To an ice-cold solution of the product from Step C of Example 2 (1.06 g, 2.1 mmol) in CH₂CI₂ (30 mL) was added HBr (5.7 M in acetic acid; 2.2 mL) dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 1 h and then at room temperature for 2 h, concentrated in vacuo and co-evaporated with toluene (2x15 mL). The resulting oil was dissolved in MeCN (10 mL) and added dropwise into a solution of the sodium salt of 4-chloro-5-methyl-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine in acetonitrile [generated ínsitufrom 4-chloro-5-methyl-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [for preparation, see J. Med. Chem. 33: 1984 (1990)] (0.62 g, 3.7 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (70 mL), and NaH (60% in mineral oil, 148 mg, 3.7 mmol), after 2 h of vigorous stirring at rt]. The combined mixture was stirred at rt for 24 h and then evaporated to dryness. The residue was suspended in water (100 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (250 + 100 mL). The combined extracts were washed with brine (50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude product was purified on a silica gel column (5x5 cm) using hexane/ethyl acetate (9/1, 5/1, 3/1) gradient as the eluent. Fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (0.87 g) as a colorless foam.

Step B: 4-Chloro-5-methyl-7-(2-C^Lmethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine [0136] To a solution of the compound from Step A (0.87 g, 0.9 mmol) in dichloromethane (30 mL)at-78°C was added boron trichloride (1M in dichloromethane, 9.0 mL, 9.0 mmol) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at -78°C for 2.5 h, then at -30°C to -20°C for 3 h. The reaction was quenched by addition of methanol/dichloromethane (1:1) (9 mL) and the resulting mixture stirred at -15°C for 30 min., then neutralized with aqueous ammonia at 0°C and stirred at rtfor 15 min. The solid was filtered and washed with CH₂CI_2/MeOH (1/1, 50 mL). The combined filtrate was evaporated, and the residue was purified on a silica gel column (5x5 cm) using CH₂CI₂ and CH₂CI₂/MeOH (40/1 and 30/1) gradient as the eluent to furnish the desired compound (0.22 g) as a colorless foam.

Step C: 4-Amino-5-methyl-7-(2-C-methyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0137] To the compound from Step B (0.2 g, 0.64 mmol) was added methanolic ammonia (saturated at 0°C; 40 mL). The mixture was heated in a stainless steel autoclave at 100°C for 14 h, then cooled and evaporated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified on a silica gel column (5 x 5 cm) with CH₂CI₂/MeOH (50/1, 30/1,20/1) gradient as eluent to give the title compound as a white solid (0.12 g).

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 0.60 (s, 3H, 2’C-Me), 2.26 (s, 3H, 5C-Me), 3.52-3.61 (m, 1H, H-5’), 3.70-3.88 (m, 3H, H-5", H-4’, H-3’), 5.00 (s, 1H, 2’-OH), 4.91-4.99 (m, 3H, 2’-OH, 3’-OH, 5’-OH), 6.04 (s, 1H, H-1’), 6.48 (br s, 2H, NH₂), 7.12 (s, 1H, H-6), 7.94 (s, 1H, H-2). ES MS: 295.2 (MH⁺).

<img file="IS2449B_D0064.tif" />

EXAMPLE 22

4-Amino-7-(2-C-methy-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid [0138] <img file="IS2449B_D0065.tif" /> [0139] The compound of Example 6 (0.035 g, 0.11 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of aqueous ammonia (4 mL, 30 wt %) and saturated methanolic ammonia (2 mL), and a solution of H₂O₂ in water (2 mL, 35 wt %) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 h. Solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue obtained was purified by HPLC on a reverse phase column (Altech Altima C-18,10x 299 mm, A = water, B = acetonitrile, 10 to 60 % B in 50 min, flow 2 mL/min) to yield the title compound (0.015 g, 41 %) as a white solid.

¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 0.85 (s, 3H, Me), 3.61 (m, 1H), 3.82 (m,1H) 3.99-4.86 (m, 2H), 6.26 (s, 1H), 8.10 (s, 2H) 8.22(s, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CD3OD): 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) Calcd for C₁₃H₁₇N₄O₆⁺ 325.1148, found 325.1143.

EXAMPLE 23

4-Amino-7-(2-C-vinyl-p-D-ribofuranosy()-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0140] <img file="IS2449B_D0066.tif" />

Step A: 3,5-Bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-vinyl-1-0-methyl-a-D-ribofuranose [0141] Cerium chloride heptahydrate (50 g, 134.2 mmol) was finely crushed in a pre-heated mortar and transferred toa round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanicalstirrer. Theflaskwas heated under high vacuum overnight at 160°C. The vacuum was released under argon and the flask was cooled to room temperature. Anhydrous THF (300 mL) was cannulated into the flask. The resulting suspension was stirred at room temperature for 4 h and then cooled to -78 °C. Vinylmagnesium bromide (1M in THF, 120 mL, 120 mmol) was added and stirring continued at-78 °C for 2 h. To this suspension was added a solution of 3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-1-0-methyl-a-D-erythro-pentofuranose-2-ulose (14 g, 30 mmol) [from Example2, Step Β] inanhydrousTHF (100 mL), dropwise withconstantstirring. The reaction

<img file="IS2449B_D0067.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0068.tif" />

was stirred at -78°C for 4 h. The reaction was quenched with saturated ammonium chloride solution and allowed to come to room temperature. The mixture was filtered through a celite pad and the residue washed with Et₂O (2 x 500 mL). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer extracted with Et₂O (2 x 200 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to a viscous yellow oil. The oil was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% EtOAc in hexanes). The title compound (6.7 g, 13.2 mmol) was obtained as a pale yellow oil.

Step B: 4-Chloro-7-[3,5-bis-C&gt;-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-vinyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl]-7A7-pyrrolo[2,3-a1pyrimidine [0142] To a solution of the compound from Step A (6.4 g, 12.6 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (150 mL) at -20 °C was added HBr (30% solution in AcOH, 20 mL, 75.6 mmol) dropwise. The resulting solution was stirred between -10°C and 0°C for 4 h, evaporated in vacuo and co-evaporated with anhydrous toluene (3 x 40 mL). The oily residue was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (100 mL) and added to a solution of the sodium salt of 4-chloro-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(] pyrimidine (5.8 g, 37.8 mmol) in acetonitrile (generated in situ as described in Example 2) at -20 °C. The resulting mixture was allowed to come to room temperature and stirred at room temperature for 24 h. The mixture was then evaporated to dryness, taken up in water and extracted with EtOAc (2 x 300 mL). The combined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% EtOAc in hexanes) and the title compound (1.75 g) isolated as a white foam.

Step C: 4-Amino-7-[3,5-bis-O-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-viny]-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine [0143] The compound from Step B (80, mg) was dissolved in the minimum amount of 1,4-dioxane and placed in a stainless steel bomb. The bomb was cooled to -78°C and liquid ammonia was added. The bomb was sealed and heated at 90°C for 24 h. The ammonia was allowed to evaporate and the residue concentrated to a white solid which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step D: 4-Ainino-7-(2-C-vinyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7F/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0144] To a solution of the compound from Step C (60 mg) in dichloromethane at -78 °C was added boron trichloride (1M in dichloromethane) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at -78 °C for 2.5 h, then at -30 °C to -20 °C for 3h. The reaction was quenched by addition of methanol/dichloromethane (1:1) and the resulting mixture stirred at-15 °C for 0.5 h, then neutralized with aqueous ammonia at 0°C and stirred at room temperature for 15 min. The solid was filtered and washed with methanol/dichloromethane (1:1). The combined filtrate was evaporated and the residue purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% methanol in EtOAc containing 0.1% triethylamine). The fractions containing the product were evaporated to give the title compound as a white solid (10 mg).

1H NMR (DMSO-d₆); δ3.6 (m, 1 Η, H-5'), 3.8 (m, 1 Η, H-5"), 3.9 (m d, 1 -Η, H-4’), 4.3 (t, 1 Η, H-3’), 4.8-5.3(m, 6H, CH=CH₂, 2’-OH, 3'-OH, 5’-OH) 6.12 (s, 1H, Η-Γ), 6.59 (d, 1H, H-5), 7.1 (brs, 1H, NH2), 7.43 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.01 (s, 1H, H-2). ES-MS: Found: 291.1 (M-H'); calc. for C₁₃H₁₆N₄O₄ - H': 291.2.

EXAMPLE 24

4-Amino-7-(2-C-hydroxymethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine [0145]<img file="IS2449B_D0069.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0070.tif" />

Step A: 4-Chloro-7-[3,5-bis-O-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-hydroxymethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|py-rimidine [0146] To a solution of the compound from Example 23, Step B (300 mg, 0.48 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (5 mL) were added /V-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (300 mg, 2.56 mmol) and osmium tetroxide (4% solution in water, 0.3 mL). The mixture was stirred in the darkfor 14 h. The precipitate was removed by filtration through a celite plug, diluted with water (3 x), and extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The oily residue was taken up in dichloromethane (5 mL) and stirred over NalO₄ on silica gel (3 g, 10% NalO₄) for 12 h. 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 h and then diluted with EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with water (2 x 20 mL), brine (20 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvent was evaporated and the residue purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 2:1 hexanes/EtOAc) to give the title compound (160 mg, 0.25 mmol) as white flakes.

Step B: 4-Amino-7-[3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-hydroxymethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|py-rimidine [0147] The compound from Step A (150 mg, 0.23 mmol) was dissolved in the minimum amount of 1,4-dioxane (10 mL) and placed in a stainless steel bomb. The bomb was cooled to -78 °C and liquid ammonia was added. The bomb was sealed and heated at 90°C for 24 h. The ammonia was allowed to evaporate and the residue 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-c(|pyrimidine [0148] The compound from Step B (120 mg, 0.2 mmol) was dissolved in 1:1 methanol/dichloromethane, 10% Pd-C was added, and the suspension stirred under an H₂ atmosphere for 12 h. The catalyst was removed by filtration through a celite pad and washed with copious amounts of methanol. The combined filtrate was evaporated in vacuo and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂,10% methanol in EtOAc containing 0.1% triethylamine) to give the title compound (50 mg) as a white powder.

¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 3.12 (d, 1H, CH₂’), 3.33 (d, 1H, CH₂"), 3.82 (m, 1H, H-5’), 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⁺); calc. for C₁₂H₁₆N₄O₅ + H⁺: 297.3.

EXAMPLE 25

4-Amino-7-(2-C-fluoromethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-a1pyrinnidine [0149] <img file="IS2449B_D0071.tif" />

Step A: 4-Chloro-7-[3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-fluoromethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyri-midine [0150] To a solution of the compound from Example 24, Step A (63 mg, 0.1 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (5 mL) under argon, were added 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) (2 mg, 0.015 mmol) and triethylamine (62 μΙ_, 0.45 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 NaHCO₃ (2x10 mL), water (10 mL), brine (10 mL),

<img file="IS2449B_D0072.tif" />

dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to a pink solid in vacuo. The solid was dissolved in anhydrous THF (5 mL) and cooled in an icebath. Tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1M solution in THF, 1 mL, 1 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 4 h. The solvent was removed in vacuo, the residue taken up in dichloromethane, and washed with NaHCO₃ (2 x 10 mL), water (10 mL) and brine (10 mL). The dichloromethane layerwas dried overanhydrous Na₂SO₄, concentrated in vacuo, and purified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 2:1 hexanes/EtOAc) to afford the title compound (20 mg) as a white solid.

Step B: 4-Amino-7-í3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C-fluoromethyl-[1-D-ribofuranosyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyri-midine [0151] The compound from Step A (18 mg, 0.03 mmol) was dissolved in the minimum amount of 1,4-dioxane and placed in a stainless steel bomb. The bomb was cooled to -78 °C and liquid ammonia was added. The bomb was sealed and heated at 90 °C for 24 h. The ammonia was allowed to evaporate and the residue concentrated to a white solid which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step C: 4-Amino-7-(2-C-fluoromethyl-8-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/7-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0152] The compound from Step B (16 mg) was dissolved in 1:1 methanol/dichloromethane, 10% Pd-C was added, and the suspension stirred under an H₂ atmosphere for 12 h. The catalyst was removed by filtration through a celite pad and washed with copious amounts of methanol. The combined filtrate was evaporated in vacuo and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (S ÍO₂,10% methanol in EtOAc containing 0.1 % triethylamine) to give the title compound (8 mg) as a white powder.

¹H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 3.6-3.7 (m, 1 Η, H-5’), 3.8 - 4,3 (m, 5H, H-5", H-4', H-3’, CH2) 5.12 (t, 1H, 5’-OH), 5.35 (d, 1H, 3'-OH), 5.48 (s, 1H,2’-OH), 6.21 (s, 1H, H-T), 6.52 (d, 1 Η, H-5), 6.98 (br s, 2H, NH2), 7.44 (d, 1 Η, H-6), 8.02 (s, 1H, H-2). ¹⁹F NMR (DMSO-dg); δ -230.2 (t). ES-MS: Found: 299.1 (M+H⁺), calc.for C12H₁₅FN₄O₄+H⁺: 299.27.

EXAMPLES 26 and 27

4- Amino-7-(3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine and 4-amino-7-(3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-P-D-arabinofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidine [0153] <img file="IS2449B_D0073.tif" />

Step A: 7-[2,5-Bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-P-D-riboiuranosyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-cy]pyrimidine and 7-[3,5-Bis-0-(terf-butyldimethylsilyl)-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d| pyrimidine [0154] To a stirred solution of tubercidin (5.0 g, 18.7 mmol) in a mixture of pyridine (7.5 mL) and DMF (18.5 mL) was added silver nitrate (6.36 g, 38.8 mmol). This mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. It was cooled in an ice bath and THF (37.4 mL) and fert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (5.6 g, 37 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The mixture was then filtered through a pad of celite and washed with THF. The fiitrate and washings were diluted with ether containing a small amount of chloroform. The organic layer was washed successively with sodium bicarbonate and water (3 x 50 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The pyridine was removed by coevaporation with toluene and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using

5- 7% MeOH in CH₂CI₂ as the eluent; yield 3.0 g.

<img file="IS2449B_D0074.tif" />

Step B: 7-[2,5-Bis-0-(ferf-butyldimethylsilyl)-P-D-ribofuranosyl)]-4-[di-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethyl]amino-7/-/-pyr-rolo[2,3-c/]pyrimidine and 7-[3,5-bis-0-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-p-D-ribofuranosyll-4-[di-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenylme-thyl]amino-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0155] To a solution of mixture of the compounds from Step A (3.0 g, 6.0 mmol) in anhydrous pyridine (30 mL) was added 4,4’-dimethoxytrityl chloride (2.8 g, 8.2 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. 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 over silica gel using 20-25% EtOAc in hexanes as the eluent. The appropriate fractions were collected and concentrated to furnish 2’,5’-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)- and 3’,5’-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) protected nucleosides as colorless foams (2.2 g and 1.0 g, respectively).

Step C: 7-[2,5-Bis-0-(terf-butyldimethylsilyl)-3-0-tosyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)'-4-[di-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethyl]-ami-no-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0156] To an ice-cooled solution of 2’,5’-bis-O-(íert-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 four days. It was then triturated with aqueous pyridine (50%, 10 mL) and extracted with ether (3 x 50 mL) containing a small amount of CH₂CI₂ (10 mL). The organic layer was washed with sodium bicarbonate and water (3 x 30 mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. Pyridine was removed by co-evaporation with toluene (3 x 25 mL). The residual oil was filtered through a pad of silica gel using hexane:ethyl acetate (70:30) as eluent; yield 1.4 g.

Step D: 4-[di-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethyl]amino-7-[3-0-tosyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(]pyrimidine [0157] A solution of the compound from Step C (1.0 g, 1.1 mmol) and THF (10 mL) was stirred with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1M solution in THF, 2.5 mL) for 0.5h. The mixture was cooled and diluted with ether (50 mL). The solution was washed with water (3 x 50 mL), dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, 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; yield 780 mg.

Step E: 4-Amino-7-(3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|- pyrimidine and 4-amino-7-(3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-P-D-arabinofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo-[2,3-a^f|pyrimidine [0158] A solution of CH₃Mgl (3.0 M solution in ether, 3.0 mL) in anhydrous toluene (3.75 mL) was cooled in an ice bath. To this was added a solution of the compound from Step D (500 mg, 0.8 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (3.7 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3.5 h. It was cooled and treated with aqueous NH₄CI solution and extracted with ether (50 mL containing 10 mL of CH₂CI₂). The organic layer was separated and washed with brine (2 x 30 mL) and water (2 x 25 mL), dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to an oil which was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using 4% MeOH in CH₂CI₂ to furnish the 2-C-a-methyl compound (149 mg) and the 2-C-p-methyl compound (34 mg). These derivatives were separately treated with 80% acetic acid and the reaction mixture stirred at room temperature for 2.5 h. The acetic acid was 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 purifled on silica gel using 5-10% MeOH in CH₂CI₂ as the eluent to furnish the desired compounds as white solids.

4-Amino-7-(3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-cf|pyrimidine (9.0 mg):

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 0.74 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.77 (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, Η-Γ), 6.54 (d, 1H, H-7), 6.95 (br s, 2H, NH₂), 7.47 (d, 1H, H-8), 8.00 (s, 1H, H-2); ES-MS: 263.1 [M-H].

4-Amino-7-(3-deoxy-2-C-methyl-P-D-arabinofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c/]pyrimidine (15 mg):

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.23 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.08 (ddd, 2H, H-3’and 3"), 3.57 (m, 2H, H-5’and 5”), 4.06 (m, 1H, H-4), 5.10 (s, 1H, OH-2’), 5.24 (t, 1H, OH-5'), 6.01 (s, 1H, Η-Γ), 6.49 (d, 1H, H-7),6.89 (brs, 2H, NH₂), 7.35 (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-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyrimidine [0159] <img file="IS2449B_D0075.tif" />

Step A: 5-Deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-D-xylofuranose [0160] 1,2-ö-lsopropylidene-D-xylofuranose (38.4 g, 0.2 mol), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (5 g), triethylamine (55.7 mL,

0.4 mol) were dissolved in dichloromethane (300 mL). p-Toluenesulfonyl chloride (38.13 g, 0.2 mol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then poured into saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (500 mL) and the two layers were separated. The organic layer was washed with aqueous citric acid solution (20%, 200 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to give a solid (70.0 g). The solid was dissolved in dry THF (300 mL) and LiAIH₄ (16.0 g, 0.42 mol) was added in portions over 30 min. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15. Ethyl acetate (100 mL) was added dropwise over 30 min and the mixture was filtered through a silica gel bed. The filtrate was concentrated and the resulting oil was chromatographed on silica gel (EtOAc/hexane 1/4) to afford the product as a solid (32.5 g).

Step B: 3,5-Bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-1-0-methyl-4-methyl-cx-D-ribofuranose [0161] Chromium oxide (50 g, 0.5 mol), acetic anhydride (50 mL, 0.53 mol) and pyridine (100 mL, 1.24 mol) were added to dichloromethane (1 L) in an ice-water bath and the mixture was stirred for 15 min. 5-Deoxy-1,2-Ö-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 min. The reaction solution was diluted with ethyl acetate (1 L) and filtered through a silica gel bed. The filtrate was concentrated to give a yellow oil. The oil was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (1 L) and formaldehyde (37%, 200 mL). The solution was cooled to 0°C and solid KOH (50 g) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and was then extracted with ethyl acetate (6 x 200 mL). After concentration, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel (EtOAc) to afford 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 g, 20.5 mmol) and NaH (60%, 0.8 g) were added. The mixture was stirred overnightand diluted with toluene (100 mL). The mixture was then washed with saturated aqueoussodium bicarbonate (3 x 50 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in methanol (50 mL) and HCI in dioxane (4 M, 2 mL) was added. The solution was stirred overnight and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (EtOAc/hexane:1/4) to afford the desired product as an oil (2.01 g).

Step C: 3,5-Bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2,4-di-C-methyl-1-0-methyl-a-D-ribofuranose [0162] The product (2.0 g, 4.0 mmol) from Step B and Dess-Martin periodinane (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 a solution of Na₂S₂O₃.5H₂O (2.5 g) in saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (50 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in anhydrous Et₂O (20 mL) and was added dropwise to a solution of MeMgBr in Et₂O (3 M, 10 mL) at - 78 °C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to -30°C and stirred at -30°C to - 15°C for 5 h, then poured into saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (50 mL). The two layers were separated and the organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (EtOAc/hexane: 1/9) to afford the title compound as a syrup (1.40 g).

Step D: 4-Chloro-7-[3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2,4-di-C-methyl-8-D-ribofuranosyl]-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-dlpyrimi-dine [0163] To the compound from Step C (0.70 g, 1.3 mmol) was added HBr (5.7 M in acetic acid, 2 mL). The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 h, evaporated in vacuo and co-evaporated with anhydrous toluene (3 x

<img file="IS2449B_D0076.tif" />

mL). 4-Chloro-1/-/-pyzxolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine (0.5 g, 3.3 mmol) and powdered KOH (85%, 150 mg, 2.3 mmol) were stirred in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (5 mL) for 30 min and the mixture was co-evaporated with toluene (10 mL). The resulting solution was poured into the above bromo sugar residue and the mixture was 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 eluting with EtOAc/ Hexane (15/85) to afford a solid (270 mg).

Step E: 4-Amino-7-(2,4-C-dimethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine [0164] The compound from Step D (270 mg) was dissolved in dioxane (2 mL) and liquid ammonia (20 g) was added in a stainless steel autoclave. The mixture was heated at 100°C for 15, then cooled and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silicagel (EtOAc)toaffordasolid (200 mg). Thesolid (150 mg)and Pd/C (10% 150 mg)in methanol (20 mL) were shaken under H₂ (30 psi) for 3 h, filtered and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (MeOH/CH₂Cl₂:1/9) to afford the desired product as a solid (35 mg).

¹H NMR (DMSO-dg): δ 0.65 (s, 3H), 1.18 (s, 3H), 3.43 (m, 2H), 4.06 (d, 1H, JQ.3 Hz), 4.87 (s, 1H), 5.26 (br, 1H), 5.08 (d, 1H, J6.3 Hz), 5.25 (t, 1H, J3.0 Hz), 6.17 (s, 1H), 6.54 (d, 1H, J3.5 Hz), 6.97 (s, br, 2H), 7.54 (d, 1H, J3.4 Hz), 8.02 (s, 1H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 18.19, 21.32, 65.38,73.00,79.33,84.80,90.66,99.09,102.41,121.90,149.58,151.48,157.38. LC-MS: Found: 295.1 (M+H⁺); calculated for C13H₁₈N₄O₄+H⁺: 295.1.

EXAMPLE 29

4-Amino-7-(3-deoxy-3-fluoro-2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0165] <img file="IS2449B_D0077.tif" />

Step A: 3-Deoxy-3-fluoro-1-O-methyl-5-O-methyl-a-D-ribofuranose [0166] 1,2-O-lsopropylidene-D-xylofuranose (9.0 g, 50 mmol) and p-toluoyl chloride (7.0 mL, 50 mmol) in pyridine (50 mL) were stirred for 30 min. Water (10 mL) was added and the mixture was concentrated under 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 HCI indioxane (4 M, 10 mL)was added.The mixturewas stirred atroom temperature overnight and was then evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was chromatographed on silica gel (EtOAc/ hexane: 1/1) to afford an oil (10.1 g). The oil wasdissolved in dichloromethane (100 mL) and diethylaminosulfurtrifluoride (DAST) (5.7 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight and was 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 (EtOAc/hexane: 15/85) to afford the title compound as an oil (1.50 g).

Step B: 3-Deoxy-3-fluoro-2-C-methyl-1-D-methyl-5-O-toluoyl-a-D-ribofuranose [0167] The product from 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 was then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was triturated with diethyl ether (50 mL) and filtered. The filtrate was washed with a solution of Na₂S₂O₃.5H₂O (12.5 g) in saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (100 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in anhydrous THF (50 mL). TÍCI₄ (3 mL) and methyl magnesium bromide in ethyl ether (3 M, 10 mL) were added at

<img file="IS2449B_D0078.tif" />

-78°C and the mixture was stirred at -50 to -30°C for 2 h. The mixture was poured into saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (100 mL) and filtered through Celite. The filtrate was extracted with toluene (100 mL) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (EtOAc/hexane: 15/85) to afford the title compound as an oil (150 mg).

Step C: 4-Amino-7-(3-deoxy-3-fluoro-2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c/|pyrimidine [0168] The productfrom Step B (150 mg, 0.5 mmol) was dissolved in HBr (30%) in acetic acid (2 mL). Afterone hour, the mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure and co-evaporated with toluene (10 mL). 4-Chloro- /H-pyrrolo[2,3-dJ 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 and the mixture was co-evaporated with toluene (2 mL). The resulting solution was poured into the above bromo sugar and the mixture was 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 (EtOAc/hexane: 15/85) to afford an oi I (60 mg). The oil was dissolved in dioxane (2 mL) and liquid ammonia (20 g) was added in a stainless steel autoclave. The mixture was heated at 85°C for 18 h, then cooled and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (methanol/dichloromethane: 1/9) to afford the title compound as a solid (29 mg).

¹H NMR (DMSO-c/₆): δ 0.81 (s, 3H), 3.75 (m, 2H), 4.16 (m, 1H), 5.09 (dd, 1H, J53.2, 7.8 Hz), 5.26 (br, 1H), 5.77 (s, 1H), 6.15 (d, 1H, J2.9 Hz), 6.59 (d, 1H, J3.4 Hz), 7.02 (s br, 2H), 7.39 (d, 1H, J3.4 Hz), 8.06 (s, 1H).

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

¹⁹F NMR (DMSO-dg): δ 14.66 (m).

ES-MS: Found: 283.1 (M+H⁺); calculated for C₁₂H₁₅FN₄O3+H⁺: 283.1.

EXAMPLE 30

4-Amino-7-(2-C,2-0-dimethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0169] <img file="IS2449B_D0079.tif" />

Step A: 4-chloro-7-[3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C,2-C)-dimethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl1-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyri-midine [0170] To a pre-cooled (0°C) solution of the compound from 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 rt and then poured into a stirred mixture of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (50 mL) and dichloromethane (50 mL). The organic layer was washed with water (50 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting crude product was purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate/hexane as the eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (735 mg) as a colorless foam.

Step B: 4-annino-7-[3,5-bis-0-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethyl)-2-C,2-0-dimethyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c/]pyri-midine [0171] To the compound from Step A (735 mg, 1.16 mmol) was added methanolic ammonia (saturated at 0°C) (20 mL). The mixture was heated in a stainless steel autoclave at 80°C overnight, then cooled and the content evaporated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate/hexane as the eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (504 mg) as colorless foam.

<img file="IS2449B_D0080.tif" />

Step C: 4-amino-7-(2-C,2-O-dimethyl-p-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0172] A mixture of the product from Step C (64 mg, 0.1 mmol), MeOH (5 mL), Et₃N (0.2 mL) and 10% Pd/C (61 mg) was hydrogenated on a Parr hydrogenator at 50 psi at room temperature overnight. The mixture was filtered throught celite, evaporated in vacuo and filtered through a pad of silica gel using 2% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent. The desired product was collected and evaporated in vacuo. The compound was redissolved in methanol (10 mL) and 10% Pd/C (61 mg) was added. The mixture was hydrogenated on a Parr hydrogenator at 55 psi at room temperature fortwo weeks. The mixture was filtered through celite, evaporated in vacuo and purified on silica gel using 10% methanol in dichloromethane as eluent. Fractions containing the product were pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product (110 mg) as a colorless foam.

¹H NMR (DMSO-dg): δ 0.68 (s, 3H,), 3.40 (s, 3H), 3.52-3.99 (overlapping m, 4H), 4.92 (d, 1H), 5.07 (t, 1H), 6.26 (s, 1H), 6.55 (d, 1H), 7.00s br, 2H), 7.46 (d, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H).

LC-MS: Found: 293.1 (M-H⁺); calc. for C₁₂H₁₆N₄O₄-H⁺: 293.12.

EXAMPLE 31

4-Methylamino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0173] <img file="IS2449B_D0081.tif" /> [0174] The compound from Step E of Example 2 (200 mg, 0.67 mmol) was added to methylamine (5 mL condensed in a small stainless steel autoclave) and warmed at 85°C for 48 h, then cooled and evaporated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified on a silica gel with ethanol as the eluent to give the title compound which separated as an amorphous solid after treatment with MeCN. The amorphous solid was dissolved in water and lyophilized to give a colorless powder (144 mg).

¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 0.63 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.32 (s, 3H, N CH₃), 3.58-3.67 (m, 1 Η, 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, H-T), 6.58 (d, 1H, J_5e = 3.6 Hz, H-5), 7.46 (d, 1H, H-6), 7.70 (brs, 1H, NH), 8.14 (s, 1H, H-2). '

LC-MS: Found: 295.1 (M-H⁺); calc. for C₁₃H₁₈N₄O₄+H⁺: 294.3.

EXAMPLE 32

4-Dimethylamino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7fí-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine [0175]

<img file="IS2449B_D0082.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0083.tif" /> [0176] The compound from Step E of Example 2 (200 mg, 0.67 mmol) was added to dimethylamine (5 mL condensed in a small stainless steel autoclave) and warmed at 85°C for 48 h, then cooled and evaporated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified on a silica gel wíth ethanol as the eluent to give the title compound which separated as an amorphous solid after treatment with MeCN. The amorphous solid was dissolved in water and lyophilized to give a colorless powder (164 mg).

¹H NMR (DMSO-dg): δ 0.64 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.29 (s, 3H, N CH₃), 3.32 (s, 3H, N CH₃), 3.60-3.66 (m, 1 Η, H-5’), 3.77-3.97 (m, 3H, H-5", H-4’, H-3'), 5.04 (s,1 H, 2’-OH), 5.06-5.11 (1H, 3’-OH, 1H, 5’-OH), 6.21 (s, 1H, H-T), 6.69 (d, 1H, J₅₆= 3.6 Hz, H-5), 7.55 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.13 (s, 1H, H-2). '

LC-MS: Found: 309.3 (M-H⁺); calc. for C₁₄H₂₀N₄O₄+H⁺: 308.33.

EXAMPLE 33

4-Cyclopropylamino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7F/-pyrrolo[2,3-cf|pyrimidine [0177] <img file="IS2449B_D0084.tif" /> [0178] The compound from Step E of Example 2 (200 mg, 0.67 mmol) was added to cyclopropylamine (5 mL condensed in a small stainless steel autoclave) and warmed at 85°C for 48 h, then cooled and evaporated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified on a silica gel with ethanol as the eluent to give the title compound which separated as an amorphous solid after treatment with MeCN. The amorphous solid was dissolved in water and lyophilized to give a colorless powder (148 mg).

¹H NMR (DMSO-dg); δ 0.51- 0.58 (m, 2H), 0.64 (s, 3H, CH₃), 0.74- 0.076 (m, 2H), 3.62-3.67 (m, 1 Η, 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 ’), 7.48 (d, 1H, J_{5 6} = 3.6 Hz, H-5), 7.59 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.13 (s, 1H, H-2).

LC-MS: Found: 321.1 (M-H⁺); calc. for C₁₅H₂₀N₄O₄+H⁺: 320.3.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 34

4-Amino-7-(3-C-methyl-P-D-xylofuranosyl)-7fí-pyrrolo[2,3-dlpyrimidine [0179]

<img file="IS2449B_D0085.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0086.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0087.tif" />

Step A: 7-[2,5-Bis-O-(tert-butyldirriethylsilyl)-P-D-ribofuranosyl)]-4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)diphenylmethyl]amino-7F/-pyr-rolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine and 7-[3,5-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-P-D-ribofuranosyn-4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)diphenylme-thyl]aniino-7/7-pyrrolo[2,3-c/|pyrimidine [0180] To a solution of mixtureofthecompoundsfrom StepAof Examples26and 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 at room temperature overnight. The mixture was then concentrated and the residue was partitioned between CH₂CI₂ (70 mL) and water (20 mL). The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The residue was purified on silica gel column using 5-13% EtOAc in hexanes as the eluent. The appropriate fractions were collected and concentrated tofurnish 2’,5’-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)- and 3',5’-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) protected nucleosides as colorless foams (343 mg and 84 mg, respectively).

Step B: 7-[2,5-Bis-0-(terf-butyldimethylsilyl)-8-D-e/yf/iro-pentofiiranos-3-ulosyl]-4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)diphenylmethyl] amino-7/7-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine [0181] To a well-stirred suspension of chromium trioxide (91 mg, 0.91 mmol) in CH₂CI₂ (4 mL) at 0°C were added pyridine (147 μΐ_, 1.82 mmol) and then aceticanhydride (86 μΐ_, 0.91 mmol). The mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 0.5 h. Then the 2’,5’-bis-O-(ferf-butyldimethylsilyl) protected nucleoside from step A (343 mg 0.45 mmol) in CH₂CI₂(2.5 mL) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature 2 h. The mixture was then poured into ice-cold EtOAc (10 mL) and filtered through a short silica gel column using EtOAc as the eluent. The filtrate was evaporated and the residue purified on a silica gel column with hexanes and hexanes/EtOAc (7/1) as the eluent to give the title compound (180 mg).

Step C: 7-[2,5-Bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-3-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-[(4-methoxyohenyl)diphenylmethyl]ami-no-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine and 7-[2,5-Bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-3-C-methyl-P-D-xylofuranosyl)-4-[(4-methox-yphenyl)diphenylmethyl]amino-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-gf]pyrimidine [0182] To a mixture of MeMgBr (3.0 M solution in ether; 0.17 mL, 0.5 mmol) in anhydrous hexanes (1.5 mL) at room temperature was added dropwise a solution of the compound from Step B (78 mg, 0.1 mmol) in anhydrous hexanes (0.5 mL). After 2 h stirring at room temperature, the reaction mixture was poured into ice-cold water (10 mL) and diluted with EtOAc (20 mL), then filtered through Celite which was then thoroughly washed with EtOAc. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The residue was purified on a silica gel column using 8 to 25% EtOAc in hexanes as eluent to give the 3-C-methyl xylo- (60 mg) and the 3-C-methyl ribo-isomer (20 mg).

Step D: 4-Amino-7-(3-C-methyl-P-D-xylofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c/|pyrimidine [0183] To an ice-cold solution of 3-C-methyl-xylo isomer from Step C (60 mg, 0.08 mmol) in THF (2 mL) was added TBAF (1 M in THF; 0.32 mL, 0.32 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 h, then diluted with CH₂CI₂ (50 mL), washed with water (3x15 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 d and then evaporated. The residue was co-evaporated with dioxane, taken up in water (50 mL) and washed with CH₂CI₂ (2x10 mL). The aqueous layer was concentrated and then freeze-dried. The residue was purified on silica gel column with CH₂CI₂/MeOH (20/1 and 10/1) as the eluent to give the title compound as a white fluffy compound after freeze drying (10 mg).

¹H NMR (CD₃CN): δ 1.28 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.56 (brs, 1H, OH), 3.78 (m, 3H, H-4’, H-5', H-5"), 4.10 (brs, 1H, OH), 4.44 (d, 1H, J_2r = 3.9 Hz, H-2’), 5.58 (d, 1H, H-1’), 5.85 (brs, 2H, NH₂), 6.15 (brs, 1H, OH), 6.48 (d, 1H, J_5i6 = 3.7 Hz, H-5),

<img file="IS2449B_D0088.tif" />

7.23 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.11 (s, 1H, H-2). ES-MS: 281 [MH]⁺.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 35

4-Amino-7-(3-C-methyl-8-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyrimidine [0184] <img file="IS2449B_D0089.tif" /> [0185] The ribo-isomer (20 mg) from Step C of Example 32 was deprotected using the procedure described in Step D of Example 32 to yield the title compound (4 mg).

¹H NMR (CD3CN); δ 1.43 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.28 (brs, 1H, OH), 3.58 (m, 2H, H-5’, H-5"), 3.99 ( m, 1H, H-4'), 4.10 (brs, 1H, OH), 4.62 (d, 1H, J2'i^{, =} 8.1 Hz, H-2’), 5.69 (d, 1H, H-T), 5.88 (brs, 3H, OH, NH2), 6.45 (brs, 1H, OH), 6.51 (d, 1H, J_5fi= 3.7 Hz, H-5), 7.19 (d, 1H, H-6), 8.12 (s, 1H, H-2). ES-MS: 281 [MH]⁺. ’

EXAMPLE 3 6

2,4-Diamino-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/7-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine [0186] <img file="IS2449B_D0090.tif" /> [0187] A mixture of the productfrom Step B of Example 4 (24 mg) in aqueous ammonia (30%, 10 mL) was heated in a stainless steel autoclave at 100 °C overnight, then cooled and evaporated. The residue was purified on a silica gel column with CH₂CI₂/MeOH (10/1 and 5/1) as the eluent to afford the title compound (15 mg).

¹H NMR (DMSO-c/θ): 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 (brs, 2H, NH₂), 6.00 (s, 1H, H-1’), 6.28 (d, 1H, J= 3.7 Hz, H-5), 6.44 (br s, 2H, NH₂) 6.92 (d, 1H J = 3.7 Hz, H-6). ES MS: 294.1 (M-H⁺).

EXAMPLE 37

4-Amino-2-fluoro-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7/-/-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0188]

<img file="IS2449B_D0091.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0092.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0093.tif" /> [0189] Το a solution of HF/pyridine (70%, 2 mL) diluted with pyridine (1 mL) at -30 °C is added the compound of Example 36 (60 mg, 0.2 mmol) in 0.5 mL pyridine followed by fert-butyl nitrite (36 μ.1_, 0.3 mmol). Stirring is continued for 5 min -25 °C. Then the solution is poured into ice-water (5 mL), neutralized with 2 N aqueous NaOH, and evaporated to dryness. The residue is purified on a silica gel column with CH₂CI₂/MeOH (20/1 and 10/1) as the eluent to afford the title compound.

EXAMPLE 38

4-Amino-5-fluoro-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0190] <img file="IS2449B_D0094.tif" />

Step A: 4-Acetylamino-7-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d|pyrimidine [0191] To a solution of the compound from step F of Example 2 (280 mg, 1.00 mmol) in pyridine is added acetic anhydride (613 mg, 6.0 mmol). The resulting solution is stirred overnight at ambient temperature evaporated in vacuo and the resulting crude mixture is purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate/hexane as the eluent. Fractions containing the desired product are pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product.

Step B: 4-Acetylamino-5-bromo-7-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine [0192] To a pre-cooled (0°C) solution of the compound from Step A (460 mg, 1.00 mmol) in DMF is added N-bromo-succinimide (178 mg, 1.0 mmol) in DMF. The resulting solution is stirred at 0°C for 30 min then at room temperature for another 30 min. The reaction is quenched by addition of methanol and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting crude mixture is purified on silica gel using ethyl acetate/hexane as the eluent. Fractions containing the desired product are pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product.

Step C: 4-Amino-5-fluoro-7-(2-C-methyl-P-D-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-c(|pyrimidine [0193] To a pre-cooled (-78°C) solution of the compound from Step B (529 mg, 1.00 mmol) in THF is added butyl lithium (2M in hexanes) (0.5 mL, 1.00 mmol). The resulting solution is stirred at -78°C for 30 min and then quenched with W-fluorobenzensulfonimide (315 mg, 1.00 mmol) in THF. The resulting solution is very slowly allowed to come to ambient temperature and then poured into a stirred mixture of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride and dichloromethane. The organic phase is evaporated in vacuo and treated with ammonium hydroxide at 55°C in a closed container

<img file="IS2449B_D0095.tif" />

<img file="IS2449B_D0096.tif" />

overnight. The resulting crude mixture is purified on silica gel using dichloromethane/methanol as the eluent. Fractions containing the desired product are pooled and evaporated in vacuo to give the desired product.

BIOLOGICAL ASSAYS [0194] The assays employed to measure the inhibition of HCV NS5B polymerase and HCV replication are described below.

[0195] The effectiveness of the compounds of the present invention as inhibitors of HCV NSSB RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) was measured in the following assay.

A, Assay for Inhibition of HCV NS5B Polymerase:

[0196] This assay was used to measure the ability of the nucleoside derivatives of the present invention to inhibit the enzymatic activity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) on a heteromeric RNA template.

Procedure:

[0197] Assay Buffer Conditions: (50 μ!_ -total/reaction) mM Tris, pH 7.5 μ M EDTA mM DTT mM MgCI₂ mM KCI

0.4 U/μΙ- RNAsin (Promega, stock is 40 units^L)

0.75 μg t500 (a 500-nt RNA made using T7 runoff transcription with a sequence from the NS2/3 region of the hepatitis C genome)

1.6 μg purified hepatitis C NS5B (form with 21 amino acids C-terminally truncated) μΜ A,C,U,GTP (Nucleoside triphosphate mix) [alpha-³²P]-GTP or [alpha-³³P]-GTP [0198] The compounds were tested at various concentrations up to 100 μΜ final concentration.

[0199] An appropriate volume of reaction buffer was made including enzyme and template t500. Nucleoside derivatives of the present invention were pipetted into the wells of a 96-well plate. A mixture of nucleoside triphosphates (NTP’s), including the radiolabeled GTP, was made and pipetted into the wells of a 96-well plate. The reaction was initiated by addition of the enzyme-template reaction solution and allowed to proceed at room temperature for 1-2 h.

[0200] The reaction was quenched by addition of 20 μι. 0.5M EDTA, pH 8.0. Blank reactions in which the quench solution was added to the NTPs prior to the addition of the reaction buffer were included.

[0201] 50 μΐ_ of the quenched reaction were spotted onto DE81 filter disks (Whatman) and allowed to dry for 30 min.

The filters were washed with 0.3 M ammonium formate, pH 8 (150 mL/wash until the cpm in 1 mL wash is less than 100, usually 6 washes). The filters were counted in 5-mL scintillation fluid in a scintillation counter.

[0202] The percentage of inhibition was calculated according to the following equation: %lnhibition = [1-(cpm in test reaction - cpm ín blank) / (cpm in control reaction - cpm in blank)] x 100.

[0203] Representative compounds tested in the HCV NS5B polymerase assay exhibited IC₅₀’s less than 100 micromolar.

B. Assay for Inhibition of HCV RNA Replication:

[0204] The compounds of the present invention were also evaluated for their ability to affect the replication of Hepatitis C Virus RNA in cultured hepatoma (HuH-7) cells containing a subgenomic HCV Replicon. The details of the assay are described below. This Replicon assay is a modification of that described in V. Lohmann, F. Komer, J-O. Koch, U. Herian, L. Theilmann, and R. Bartenschlager, "Replication of a Sub-genomic Hepatitis C Virus RNAs in a Hepatoma Cell Line," Science 285:110 (1999).

Protocol:

[0205] The assay was an in situ Ribonuclease protection, Scintillation Proximity based-plate assay (SPA). 10,000 -40,000 cells were plated in 100-200 μί. of media containing 0.8mg/mL G418 in 96-well cytostar plates (Amersham). Compounds were added to cells at various concentrations up to 100 μΜ in 1 % DMSO at time 0 to 18 h and then cultured for 24-96 h. Cells were fixed (20 min, 10% formalin), permeabilized (20 min, 0.25% Triton X-100/PBS) and hybridized (overnight, 50°C)withasingle-stranded ³³P RNAprobe complementarytothe(+)strand NS5B(orothergenes)contained in the RNAviral genome. Cells were washed, treated with RNAse, washed, heated to 65°C and counted in a Top-Count. inhibition of replication was read as a decrease in counts per minute (cpm).

[0206] Human HuH-7 hepatoma cells, which were selected to contain a subgenomic replicon, carry a cytoplasmic RNA consisting of an HCV 5’ non-translated region (NTR), a neomycin selectable marker, an EMCV IRES (internal ribosome entry site), and HCV non-structural proteins NS3 through NS5B, followed by the 3’ NTR.

[0207] Representative compounds tested in the replication assay exhibited EC₅₀’s less than 100 micromolar. [0208] The nucleoside derivatives of the present invention were also evaluated for cellular toxicity and anti-viral specificity in the counterscreens described below.

C. COUNTERSCREENS:

[0209] 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 Polymerases alpha and beta:

Reaction Conditions:

[0210] reaction volume

Reaction buffer components:

[0211] mM Tris-HCI, pH 7.5

200 μρ/ι-ηΐ- bovine serum albumin

100 mM KCI mM β-mercaptoethanol mM MgCI₂

1.6 μΜ dA, dG, dC, dTTP a-³³P-dATP

Enzyme and template:

[0212]

0.05 mg/mL gapped fish sperm DNA template

0.01 U/μΙ- DNA polymerase a or β

Preparation ofgapped fish sperm DNAtemplate:

[0213]

Add 5 μι 1M MgCI₂ to 500 μι. activated fish sperm DNA (USB 70076);

Warm to 37°C and add 30 μι. of 65 U/μΙ- of exonuclease III (GibcoBRL 18013-011); Incubate 5 min at 37°C; Terminate reaction by heating to 65 °C for 10 min;

Load 50-100 μΙ. aliquots onto Bio-spin 6 chromatography columns (Bio-Rad 732-6002) equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCI, pH 7.5;

Elute by centrifugation at 1,000Xg for 4 min;

Pool eluate and measure absorbance at 260 nm to determine concentration.

[0214] The DNA template was diluted into an appropriate volume of 20 mM Tris-HCI, pH 7.5 and the enzyme was diluted into an appropriate volume of 20 mM Tris-HCI, containing 2 mM β-mercaptoethanol, and 100 mM KCI. Template and enzyme were pipetted into microcentrifuge tubes or a 96 well plate. Blank reactions excluding enzyme and control reactions excluding test compound were also prepared using enzyme dilution buffer and test compound solvent, respectively. The reaction was initiated with reaction buffer with components as listed above. The reaction was incubated for 1 hour at 37°C. The reaction was quenched by the addition of 20 μΙ_ 0.5M EDTA. 50 μΙ. of the quenched reaction was spotted onto Whatman DE81 filter disks and air dried. The filter disks were repeatedly washed with 150 mL 0.3M ammonium formate, pH 8 until 1 ml_ of wash is &lt; 100 cpm. The disks were washed twice with 150 mL absolute ethanol and once with 150 mL anhydrous ether, dried and counted in 5 mL scintillation fluid.

[0215] The percentage of inhibition was calculated according to the following equation: % 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:

[0216] The potential for inhibition of human DNA polymerase gamma was measured in reactions that included 0.5 ng/ μι. enzyme; 10 μΜ dATP, dGTP, dCTP, and TTP; 2 μΟί/ΓβθοΚοη [oc-³³P]-dATP, and 0.4 μg/μL activated fish sperm DNA (purchased from US Biochemical) in a buffer containing 20 mM Tris pH8, 2 mM β-mercaptoethanol, 50 mM KCI, 10 mM MgCI₂, and 0.1 μg/μL BSA. Reactions were allowed to proceed for 1 h at 37°C and were quenched by addition of 0.5 M EDTA to a final concentration of 142 mM. Product formation was quantified by anion exchange filter binding and scintillation counting. Compounds were tested at up to 50 μΜ.

[0217] The percentage of inhibition was calculated according to the following equation: % inhibition = [1-(cpm in test reaction - cpm in blank)/(cpm in control reaction - cpm in blank)] x 100.

[0218] The ability of the nucleoside derivatives of the present invention to inhibit HIV infectivity and HIV spread was measured in the following assays.

c. HIV Infectivity Assay [0219] 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 h, and β-gal production from the integrated ΗIV-1 LTRpromoterwasquantifiedwithachemiluminescentsubstrate(GalactolightPlus, Tropix, Bedford, MA). Inhibitors were titrated (in duplicate) in twofold serial dilutions starting at 100 μΜ; percent inhibition at each concentration was calculated in relation to the control infection.

d. Inhibítion of HIV Spread [0220] The ability of the compounds of the present invention to inhibit the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HTV) was measured by the method described in U.S. Patent No. 5,413,999 (May 9,1995), and J.P. Vacca, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 91: 4096-4100 (1994), which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

[0221] The nucleoside derivatives of the present invention were also screened for cytotoxicity against cultured hepatoma (HuH-7) cells containing a subgenomic HCV Replicon in an MTS cell-based assay as described in the assay below. The HuH-7 cell line is described in H. Nakabayashi, et al., Cancer Res., 42: 3858 (1982).

e. Cytotoxicity assay:

[0222] Cell cultures were prepared in appropriate media at concentrations of approximately 1.5 x 10⁵ cells/mL for suspension cultures in 3 day incubations and 5.0 x 10⁴ cells/mL for adherent cultures in 3 day incubations. 99 μΙ- of cell culture was transferred to wells of a 96-well tissue culture treated plate, and 1 μΐ. of 100-times final concentration of the test compound in DMSO was added. The plates were incubated at 37°C and 5% CO₂ for a specified period of time. After the incubation period, 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 and 5% CO₂ for an additional period of time up to 3 h. The plates were agitated to mix well and absorbance at 490 nm was read using a plate reader. A standard curve of suspension culture cells was prepared with known cell numbers just prior to the addition of MTS reagent. Metabolically active cells reduce MTS to formazan. Formazan absorbs at 490 nm. The absorbance at 490 nm in the presence of compound was compared to absorbance in cells without any compound added. Reference: Cory, A. H. et al., "Use of an aqueous soluble tetrazolium/formazan assay for cell growth assays in culture," Cancer Commun. 3: 207 (1991).

[0223] The following assays were employed to measure the activity of the compounds of the present invention against other RNA-dependent RNA viruses:

a. Determination of In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Compounds Against Rhinovirus (Cytopathic Effect Inhibition Assay):

[0224] Assay conditions are described in the article by Sidwell and Huffman, "Use of disposable microtissue culture plates for antiviral and interferon induction studies," Appl. Microbiol. 22: 797-801 (1971).

Viruses:

[0225] Rhinovirus type 2 (RV-2), strain HGP, was used with KB cells and media (0.1% NaHCO₃, no antibiotics) as stated in the Sidwell and Huffman reference. The virus, obtained from the ATCC, was from a throat swab of an adult male with a mild acute febrile upper respiratory illness.

Rhinovirus type 9 (RV-9), strain 211, and rhinovirus type 14 (RV-14), strain Tow, were also obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) in Rockville, MD. RV-9 was from human throat washings and RV-14 was from a throat swab of a young adult with upper respiratory illness. Both of these viruses were used with HeLa Ohio-1 cells (Dr. Fred Hayden, Univ. ofVA) which were human cervical epitheloid carcinoma cells. MEM (Eagle’s minimum essential medium) with 5% Fetal Bovine serum (FBS) and 0.1% NaHCO₃ was used as the growth medium.

Antiviral test medium forall three virus types was MEM with 5% FBS, 0.1% NaHCO₃, 50 μg gentamicin/mL, and 10 mM MgCI₂.

2000 pg/mL was the highest concentration used to assay the compounds of the present invention. Virus was added to the assay plate approximately 5 min after the test compound. Proper controls were also run. Assay plates were incubated with humidified air and 5% CO₂ at 37°C. Cytotoxicity was monitored in the control cells microscopically for morphologic changes. Regression analysis of the virus CPE data and the toxicity control data gave the ED50 (50% effective dose) and CC50 (50% cytotoxic concentration). The selectivity index (Sl) was calculated by the formula: Sl = CC50 &lt;- ED50.

b. Determination of In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Compounds Against Dengue, Banzi, and Yellow Fever (CPE Inhibition Assay) [0226] Assay details are provided in the Sidwell and Huffman reference above.

Viruses:

[0227] Dengue virus type 2, New Guinea strain, was obtained from the Center for Disease Control. Two lines of African green monkey kidney cells were used to culture the virus (Vero) and to perform antiviral testing (MA-104). Both Yellow fever virus, 17D strain, prepared from infected mouse brain, and Banzi virus, H 336 strain, isolated from the serum of a febrile boy in South Africa, were obtained from ATCC. Vero cells were used with both of these viruses and for assay.

Cells and Media:

[0228] MA-104 cells (BioWhittaker, Inc., Walkersville, MD) and Vero cells (ATCC) were used in Medium 199 with 5%

FBS and 0.1% NaHCO₃ and without antibiotics.

Assay medium for dengue, yellow fever, and Banzi viruses was MEM, 2% FBS, 0.18% NaHCO₃ and 50 μg gentamicin/mL. [0229] Antiviral testing of the compounds of the present invention was performed according to the Sidwell and Huffman reference and similarto the above rhinovirus antiviral testing. Adequate cytopathic effect (CPE) readings were achieved after 5-6 days for each of these viruses.

c. Determination of In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Compounds Against West Nile Virus (ΟΡΕ Inhibition Assay) [0230] Assay details are provided in the Sidwell and Huffman reference cited above. West Nile virus, New York isolate derived fromcrowbrain, was obtained from the CenterforDisease Control. Verocellsweregrown and used asdescribed above. Test medium was MEM, 1% FBS, 0.1% NaHCO₃ and 50 μg gentamicin/mL.

[0231] Antiviral testing of the compounds of the present invention was performed following the methods of Sidwell and Huffman which are similar to those used to assay for rhinovirus activity. Adequate cytopathic effect (CPE) readings were achieved after 5-6 days.

d. Determination of In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Compounds Against rhino, yellow fever, dengue, Banzi, and West Nile Viruses (Neutral Red Uptake Assay) [0232] After performing the CPE inhibition assays above, an additional cytopathic detection method was used which isdescribed in''MicrotiterAssayforlnterferon: MicrospectrophotometricQuantitationofCytopathicEffect,"Appl. Environ. Microbiol, 31: 35-38 (1976). A Model EL309 microplate reader (Bio-Tek Instruments Inc.) was used to read the assay plate. ED50’s and CD50's were calculated as above.

EXAMPLE OF A PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATION [0233] As a specific embodiment of an oral composition of a compound of the present invention, 50 mg of the compound of Example 1 or Example 2 is formulated with sufficient finely divided lactose to provide a total amount of 580 to 590 mg to fill a size O hard gelatin capsule.