Synthesis and biological activity of certain 1,2,3-triazole carboxamide nucleosides related to bredinin and pyrazofurin

5-Hydroxy-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamide (II) has been prepared by direct glycosylation of the trimethylsilyl derivative of 5-hydroxy-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamide (IV). The use of trimethylsilyltrifluoromethane sulfonate as a catalyst and 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-ribofuranose in acetonitrile gave a 95% yield of a 1:1 mixture of V and VI as blocked nucleosides which were readily separated on a silica gel column. The synthesis of II was also achieved by the cycloaddition of 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl azide with ethyl malonamate. II shows significant antiviral activity against herpes and measles virus in vitro.