Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 2-deoxy-4-thio-imidazole nucleosides

A study on the use of 3'-directing groups for the synthesis of imidazole 2'-deoxy-4'-thionucleosides led to varying alpha:beta ratios in the glycosylation reaction. The para-nitrobenzoyl group gave the optimum result in the glycosylation step; therefore, this protected thiosugar 10b was used for the synthesis of a series of novel 2'-deoxy-4'-thio-imidazole nucleosides which have been evaluated for antiviral activity in vitro.