Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of Cis-Substituted Cyclohexenyl and Cyclohexanyl Nucleosides

Starting from commercially available (rac)-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid, a series of purine and pyrimidine cis-substituted cyclohexenyl and cyclohexanyl nucleosides were synthesized through a key Mitsunobu reaction. Antiviral evaluations were performed on HIV, coxsackie B3, and herpes viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, HCMV). Three compounds showed moderate activity against HSV-1 and coxsackie viruses. Specific computer modeling studies were performed on HSV-1 thymidine kinase in order to understand the enzyme activation of an analogue showing moderate antiviral activity.