3',3'-Difluoro-3'-deoxythymidine: comparison of anti-HIV activity to 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine

Abstract

3',3'-Difluoro-3'-deoxythymidine (3) has been synthesized in four steps from thymidine, and characterized by 1H NMR and NOE experiments. The JHF coupling constants support a conformation in solution that is predominantly 2'-endo (S). Although conformationally and sterically nucleoside 3 may resemble other thymidine analogs which are active against HIV-1, 3 is virtually inactive.