Synthesis and biological activity of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphorodiamidates

Three 5'-phosphorodiamidate derivatives of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FdUrd), 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphorodiamidate (4a), 5'-phosphorodiimidazolidate (4b), and 5'-phosphorodimorpholidate (4c), were synthesized by aminolysis of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphorodichloridate with the respective amine. In culture, these 5'-phosphorodiamidates inhibited the growth of murine leukemia (L5178Y) cells. 5-Fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphorodiamidate (4a) was the most active derivative and, on a molar basis, produced a cytostatic effect comparable to that of FdUrd and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate (FdUrd-5'-P). Compounds 4b and 4c were less active than 4a, with relative rates of activity 4a > 4b > 4c that corresponded to their rates of hydrolysis to FdUrd-5'-P. None of the 5'-phosphorodiamidates inhibited thymidylate synthetase of concentrations up to 1 mM.