An alternative pathway to ribonucleoside β-hydroxyphosphonate analogues and related prodrugs

Nucleoside β-(S)-hydroxyphosphonate analogues have recently proven to be interesting bioactive compounds as 5'-nucleotidase inhibitors. These derivatives were obtained in a pyrimidine series through an ex-chiral pool pathway or the stereoselective reduction of a β-ketophosphonate intermediate. Herein, an original synthesis of these compounds using nucleoside epoxide intermediates, containing either a pyrimidine or a purine as nucleobase, was explored and allowed the direct synthesis of the corresponding bis S-acyl-2-thioethyl (SATE) prodrugs.