Design, synthesis, and anti-HIV activity of 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine (d4U), 2′,3′-dideoxyuridine (ddU) phosphoramidate ‘ProTide’ derivatives

We report the synthesis of 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine (d4U) and 2′,3′-dideoxyuridine (ddU) phosphoramidate ‘ProTide’ derivatives and their evaluation against HIV-1 and HIV-2. In addition, we conducted molecular modeling studies on both d4U and ddU monophosphates to investigate their second phosphorylation process. The findings from the modeling studies provide compelling evidence for the lack of anti-HIV activity of d4U phosphoramidates, in contrast with the corresponding ddU phosphoramidates.