New neplanocin analogs. 1. Synthesis of 6'-modified neplanocin A derivatives as broad-spectrum antiviral agents

Novel neplanocin A analogues modified at the 6'-position, i.e., 6'-deoxy analogues (2, 3, 6, 9, 20), 6'-O-methylneplanocin A (15), and 6'-C-methylneplanocin A's (22a and 22b) have been synthesized and evaluated for their antiviral activity in a wide variety of DNA and RNA virus systems. These compounds showed an activity spectrum that conforms to that of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibitors. They were particularly active against pox- (vaccinia), paramyxo-(parainfluenza, measles, respiratory syncytial), arena- (Junin, Tacaribe), rhabdo- (vesicular stomatitis), reo-, and cytomegalovirus. In order of (increasing) antiviral activity, the compounds ranked as follows: 3 less than 15 approximately 20 less than 6 less than 9 approximately 2 less than 22a. Of the two diastereomeric forms of 22, only 22a was active; 22a surpassed neplanocin A both in antiviral potency and selectivity. Compound 22a appears to be a promising candidate drug for the treatment of pox-, paramyxo-, arena-, rhabdo-, reo-, and cytomegalovirus infections.