The Use of Acetyl Bromide for the Multigram Synthesis of the Anti-HIV Agent 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-Dideoxycytidine (d4C)

Abstract

Abstract Treatment of uridine (1) with acetyl bromide produced bromoacetate 2 which was reduced with Zn/Cu to give the 2′,3′-unsaturated uridine (d4U; 3). Conversion of the uracil moiety of 3 to thioamide 7 with Lawesson's reagent, followed by amination and deprotection with methanolic ammonia, afforded d4C (9). This multigram scale process for the synthesis of d4C proceeded in 20% yield from uridine.