Synthesis of novel fluoro analogues of MKC442 as microbicides

Novel analogues of MKC442 (6-benzyl-1-(ethoxymethyl)-5-isopropylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione) were synthesized by reaction of 6-[(3,5-dimethylphenyl)fluoromethyl]-5-ethyluracil (5) with ethoxymethyl chloride and formaldehyde acetals. The Sonogashira reaction was carried out on the N1-(p-iodobenzyl)oxy]methyl derivative of compound 5 using propagyl alcohol to afford compound 12 (YML220). The latter compound was selected for further studies since it showed the most potent and selective activity in vitro against wild-type HIV-1 and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-, and protease inhibitor-resistant mutants and a wide range of HIV-1 clinical isolates. 12 also showed microbicidal activity in long-term assays with heavily infected MT-4 cells.