Synthesis of novel 4′-C-methyl-pyrimidine nucleosides and their biological activities

Two novel 4′-C-methylnucleosides, 4′-methylBVDU 9 and 4′-methylBVaraU 10, were synthesized. The former was derived from 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxy-4′-C-methyluridine 12, and the latter was produced via glycosylation between 4-C-methyl-D-ribose derivative 11 and a silylated bromovinyl uracil. 4′-MethylBVDU 9 exhibited particularly potent anti-varicella-zoster virus (VZV) activity in vitro.