Lipase-catalyzed protection of the hydroxy groups of the nucleosides inosine and 2'-deoxyinosine: a new chemoenzymatic synthesis of the antiviral drug 2',3'-dideoxyinosine.

The selective acylation of the hydroxy groups of the nucleosides inosine 1a and 2'-deoxyinosine 1b has been achieved in the presence of Candida antarctica and Pseudomonas sp. lipases in organic solvents; starting from the 5'-acetyl derivative of 2'-deoxyinosine, compound 5a, an efficient chemoenzymatic synthesis of the antiviral drug 2',3'-dideoxyinosine 1c has been achieved.