Synthesis of (-)-neplanocin A analogues as potential antiviral agents

Based on (-)-neplanocin A with the 5'-hydroxyl substituted with fluoro, azido, or amino group, the corresponding xylo- and arabino derivatives were synthesized from D-ribose using the Mitsunobu reaction as a key step. None of the final nucleosides did show either significant antiviral activities or cytotoxicities.