Asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of two acyclic nucleoside analogues related to d4T and acyclovir

The enantiomers of 1-{[(2-hydroxy-1-phenyl)ethoxy]methyl}thymine and 9-{[(2-hydroxy-1-phenyl)ethoxy]methyl}guanine have been obtained in high yield in five steps from (R)- and (S)-1-phenylethan-1,2-diol. These chiral compounds are acyclic nucleoside analogues of d4T and acyclovir, respectively.