Synthesis and biological properties of 2′-deoxy-5-vinyluridine and 2′-deoxy-5-vinylcytidine

Abstract
Rapid and efficient syntheses for the preparation of 2′-deoxy-5-vinyluridine and 2′-deoxy-5-vinylcytidine are described starting from nucleoside precursors. Contrary to some previous reports, 2′-deoxy-5-vinyluridine has be found to be quite stable under normal laboratory conditions but when tested in animals shows neither toxicity nor antileukemic (L1210 cells) or anti-parasitic ( Plasmodium berghei ) activity. 2′-Deoxy-5-vinylcytidine appears to polymerise readily. It is much less toxic to cell cultures than 2′-deoxy-5-vinyluridine but is almost as active against herpes virus replication (ID 50 :0.2μg/ml) for both type 1 and type 2 herpes virus (selectivity index:225).