Synthesis of phosphonated carbocyclic 2′-oxa-3′-aza- nucleosides: Novel inhibitors of reverse transcriptase

Phosphonated carbocyclic 2′-oxa-3′-aza-nucleosides have been synthesized in good yields by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition methodology. The cytotoxicity and the reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity of the obtained compounds have been investigated. Phosphonated carbocyclic 2′-oxa- 3′-aza-nucleosides, while showing low levels of cytotoxicity, exert a specific inhibitor activity on two different reverse transcriptases, which is comparable with that of AZT, opening new perspectives on their possible use as therapeutic agents, in anti-retroviral and anti-HBV chemotherapy. © 2005 American Chemical Society.