The first radical method for the introduction of an ethynyl group using a silicon tether and its application to the synthesis of 2'-deoxy-2'-C-ethynylnucleosides.

A novel radical method for the stereoselective introduction of an ethynyl group has been developed. When a solution of ethynyldimethylsilyl (EDMS) or [2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]dimethylsilyl (TEDMS) ethers of trans-2-iodoindanol was treated with Et(3)B followed by tetrabutylammonium fluoride in toluene, atom transfer 5-exo-cyclization and subsequent elimination occurred to give cis-2-ethynylindanol in high yield. The method was shown to be useful in the introduction of an ethynyl group in various five- and six-membered-ring iodohydrins. Furthermore, 2'-deoxy-2'-C-ethynyluridine (6) and -cytidine (7), which were designed as novel antimetabolites, were readily synthesized by using this method as the key step. This would be the first example in which a radical reaction was used for introducing an ethynyl group.