Synthesis and antiviral activity of some acyclic and C-acyclic pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleoside analogues.

A series of acyclic and C-acyclic 7-deazapurine nucleosides have been synthesized and tested for antiviral activity. Reaction of the sodium salt of 2-amino-3,4-bis(aminocarbonyl)-5-(methylthio)pyrrole (6) with an appropriate electrophile gave pyrrole nucleosides which served as common intermediates to both the 7-deazaadenosine and the 7-deazaguanosine series. Several of these 5- and 5,6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleosides have shown activity against HIV virus in preliminary in vitro screens.