Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of [E]-6-(2-acylvinyl)uracils and [E]-6-(2-acylvinyl)-1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]uracils--their antiviral and cytotoxic activities.

[E]-6-(2-Acylvinyl)uracils and their corresponding 1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl derivatives were synthesized through palladium-catalyzed reactions which involved an interesting rearrangement. Some of the acylvinyl uracils (3, 4, and 5) and the acyclonucleosides (8 and 10) showed pronounced activity against human T-lymphocyte Molt 4/C8 and CEM cells. However, they were less toxic to murine L1210 and FM3A cells. The compounds did not have any marked antiviral activity.