A search for new anti-herpes virus compounds

This study reports on the synthesis and the activity of a series of new compounds of nucleoside-type structure. They are characterized for being differently substituted in the aromatic ring of the base (deazoadenosine derivatives) or by bearing a dansyl group in the sugar moiety (dansylthymidine). One molecule belonging to this latter class of compounds (the 3'-0-dansylthymidine) is showing an anti-herpesvirus potential while being active in inhibiting the virus-encoded enzyme thymidine kinase. This finding may represent an important step for the synthesis of new enzyme inhibitors and it is discussed in terms of future developments of more active congeners.