Title of Invention

2-DEOXY-2-FLUORO-2-METHYL-D-RIBONOLACTONE DERIVATIVES AND PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF THE SAME

Abstract The present invention provides (i) a process for preparing a 2- deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyl-d-ribonolactone derivative, (ii) conversion of the lactone to nucleosides with potent anti-HCV activity, and their analogues, and (iii) a method to prepare the anti-HCV nucleosides containing the 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-C-methyl- ß-D-ribofuranosyl nucleosides from a preformed, preferably naturally-occurring, nucleoside.
Full Text FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides (i) a process for preparing a 2-deoxy-2-
fluoro-2-methyl-D-ribonolactone derivative, (ii) conversion of the lactone to
nucleosides with potent anti- HCV activity, and their analogues, and (iii) a method to
prepare the anti-HCV nucleosides containing the 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-2'-C-methyl-β-
D-ribofuranosyl nucleosides from a preformed, preferably naturally-occurring,
nucleoside.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In light of the fact that HCV infection has reached epidemic levels
worldwide, and has tragic effects on the infected patients. Presently there is no
universally effective treatment for this infection and the only drugs available for
treatment of chronic hepatitis C are various forms of alpha interferon (IFN-a), either
alone or in combination with ribavirin. However, the therapeutic value of these
treatments has been compromised largely due to adverse effects, which highlights
the need for development of additional options for treatment.
HCV is a small, enveloped virus in the Flaviviridae family, with a positive
single-stranded RNA genome of~9.6 kb within the nucleocapsid. The genome
contains a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein of just over
3,000 amino acids, which is cleaved to generate the mature structural and


nonstructural viral proteins. ORF is flanked by 5' and 3' non-translated regions
(NTRs) of a few hundred nucleotides in length, which are important for RNA
translation and replication. The translated polyprotein contains the structural core
(C) and envelope proteins (E1, E2, p7) at the N-terminus, followed by the
nonstructural proteins (NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, NS5B). The mature
structural proteins are generated via cleavage by the host signal peptidase. The
junction between NS2 and NS3 is autocatalytically cleaved by the NS2/NS3
protease, while the remaining four junctions are cleaved by the N-terminal serine
protease domain of NS3 complexed with NS4A. The NS3 protein also contains the
NTP-dependent helicase activity which unwinds duplex RNA during replication.
The NS5B protein possesses RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDRP) activity,
which is essential for viral replication. It is emphasized here that, unlike HBV or
HIV, no DNA is involved in the replication of HCV.
U. S. Patent Application (Serial No. 10/828,753) discloses that l-(2-deoxy-2-
fluoro-2-C-memyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)cytosine (14) is a potent and selective anti-
HCV agent. The original synthetic procedures (Schemes 1 - 3) are quite inefficient,
with overall yields at or below 4% and are not amenable to large-scale.




What is needed is a novel and cost effective process for the synthesis of 2-C-
alkyl-2-deoxy-2-substituted-D-ribopyranosyl nucleosides that have activity against
HCV.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention as disclosed herein relates to the composition and
synthetic methods of compounds of general formulas [I] and [II],

wherein
X is halogen (F, Cl, Br),

* Y is N or CH,
Z is, halogen, OH, OR', SH, SR', NH2, NHR', or R'
R2' is alkyl of C1-C3, vinyl, or ethynyl;
R3' and R5 can be same or different H, alkyl, aralkyl, acyl, cyclic acetal such
as 2',3'-O-isopropylidene or 2',3-O-benzylidene, or 2',3'-cyclic
carbonate;
R2, R4, R5 and R6 are independently H, halogen including F, Cl, Br, I, OH,
OR', SH, SR', N3, NH2, NHR', NR'2, NHC(O)OR', lower alkyl of
C1-C6, halogenated (F, Cl, Br, I) lower alkyl of C1-C6 such as CF3 and
CH2CH2F, lower alkenyl of C2-C6 such as CH=CH2, halogenated (F,
Cl, Br, I) lower alkenyl of C2-C6 such as CH=CHCl, CH=CHBr and
CH=CHI, lower alkynyl of C2-C6 such as C=CH, halogenated (F, Cl,
Br, I) lower alkynyl of C2-C6, hydroxy lower alkyl of C1-C6 such as
CH2OH and CH2CH2OH, halogenated (F, Cl, Br, I) lower alkyl of C1-
C6, lower alkoxy of C1-C6 such as methoxy and ethoxy, CO2H,
CO2R', CONH2, CONHR', CONR'2, CH=CHCO2H, CH=CHCO2R';
and,
R' is an optionally substituted alkyl of C1-C12 (particularly when the alkyl is
an amino acid residue), cycloalkyl, optionally substituted alkynyl of C2-C6,
optionally substituted lower alkenyl of C2-C6, or optionally substituted acyl.
In other aspects, the present invention provides methods to prepare
nucleosides containing the 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-C-methyl-D-ribofuranosyl moiety of
general structures of III and IV,


through (i) synthesis of the 3,5-protected 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-C-methyl-D-ribono-γ-
lactone intermediate of general structure V, (ii) conversion of V into purine and
pyrimidine nucleosides of general structures of III and IV, and (iii) preparation of
nucleosides of general structures of III and IV from preformed, preferably natural,
nucleosides.

Regarding III, IV and V above, R4 and R5 are as defined above and R3 and R5 can
be independently H, Me, Acyl (such as Ac, Bz, substituted Bz), benzyl, substituted
benzyl, Trityl, Trialkylsilyl, t-Butyldialkylsilyl, t-Butyldiphenylsilyl, TIPDS, THP,
MOM, MEM, or R3 and R5 are linked through -SiR2-O-SiR2- or -SiR2-, wherein R
is a lower alkyl group such as Me, Et, n-Pr or i-Pr.
Still another aspect of the present invention are the novel lactone intermediates
of formula V and processes for the preparation of the lactone intermediates as
detailed below, including precursor ester intermediates as also detailed below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Presently no preventive means against Flaviviridae, including hepatitis C
virus (HCV), Dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV) or Yellow Fever virus
(YFV), infection is available. The only approved therapies are for treatment of HCV
infection with alpha interferon alone or in combination with the nucleoside ribavirin,
but the therapeutic value of these treatments has been compromised largely due to
adverse effects. It was recently discovered that a group of nucleosides, including 2'-
deoxy-2'-fluoro-2'-C-methylcytidine (14), exhibit potent and selective activity
against replication of HCV in a replicon system. However, the difficulty of chemical
synthesis of this and analogous nucleosides impedes further biophysical,
biochemical, pharmacological evaluations mandatory for development of clinical
drugs for treatment of Flaviviridae infection.

The present invention provides an efficient preparation of nucleosides
containing the 2-deoxy-2-fiuoro-2-C-niethyl-D-ribofuranosyl moiety III and IV,
through (i) synthesis of intermediate the 3,5-protected 2-deoxy-2-fiuoro-2-C-methyl-
D-ribono-γ-latone of general structure V, (ii) conversion of V into purine and
pyrimidine nucleosides of general structures of III and IV, and (iii) preparation of
nucleosides of general structures of III and IV from preformed, preferably natural,
nucleosides.
Definitions
The term "independently" is used herein to indicate that the variable, which
is independently applied, varies independently from application to application.
Thus, in a compound such as RaXYRa, wherein Ra is "independently carbon or
nitrogen", both Ra can be carbon, both Ra can be nitrogen, or one Ra can be carbon
and the other Ra nitrogen.
As used herein, the terms "enantiomerically pure" or "enantiomerically
enriched"refers to a nucleoside composition that comprises at least approximately
95%, and preferably approximately 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% of a single enantiomer
of that nucleoside.
As used herein, the term "substantially free of or "substantially in the
absence of refers to a nucleoside composition that includes at least 85 or 90% by
weight, preferably 95% to 98% by weight, and even more preferably 99% to 100%
by weight, of the designated enantiomer of that nucleoside. In a preferred
embodiment, in the methods and compounds of this invention, the compounds are
substantially free of enantiomers.
The term "alkyl," as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to a
saturated straight or branched hydrocarbon chain of typically C1 to C10, and
specifically includes methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl,
, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 3-
methylpentyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, and 2,3-dimethylbutyl, and the like. The term
includes both substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups. Alkyl groups can be
optionally substituted with one or more moieties selected from the group consisting
of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic
acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate. One or more of the
hydrogen atoms attached to carbon atom on alkyl may be replaces by one or more
halogen atoms, e.g. fluorine or chlorine or both, such as trifluoromethyl,
difluoromethyl, fluorochloromethyl, and the like. The hydrocarbon chain may also
be interrupted by a heteroatom, such as N, O or S.
The term "lower alkyl," as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refers
to a C1 to C4 saturated straight or branched alkyl group, including both substituted
and unsubstituted forms as defined above. Unless otherwise specifically stated in
this application, when alkyl is a suitable moiety, lower alkyl is preferred. Similarly,

when alkyl or lower alkyl is a suitable moiety, unsubstituted alkyl or lower alkyl is
preferred.
The term "cycloalkyl", as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to a
saturated hydrocarbon ring having 3-8 carbon atoms, preferably, 3-6 carbon atoms,
such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. The cycloalkyl group
may also be substituted on the ring by and alkyl group, such as cyclopropylmethyl
and the like.
The terms "alkylamino" or "arylamino" refer to an amino group that has one
or two alkyl or aryl substituents, respectively.
The term "protected," as used herein and unless otherwise defined, refers to a
group that is added to an oxygen, nitrogen, or phosphorus atom to prevent its further
reaction or for other purposes. A wide variety of oxygen and nitrogen protecting
groups are known to those skilled in the art of organic synthesis. Non-limiting
examples include: C(O)-alkyl, C(O)Ph, C(O)aryl, CH3, CH2-alkyl, CH2-alkenyl,
CH2Ph, CH2-aryl, CH2O-alkyl, CH2O-aryl, SO2-alkyl, SO2-aryl, tert-
butyldimethylsilyl, tert-butyldiphenylsilyl, and 1,3-(1,1,3,3-
tetraisopropyldisiloxanylidene).
The term "aryl," as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refers to
phenyl, biphenyl, or naphthyl, and preferably phenyl. The term includes both
substituted and unsubstituted moieties. The aryl group can be substituted with one
or more substituents, including, but not limited to hydroxyl, halo, amino,
alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate,
phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate, either unprotected, or protected as
necessary, as known to those skilled in the art, for example, as taught in T.W.
Greene and P.G.M. Wuts, "Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis," 3rd ed., John
Wiley & Sons, 1999.
The terms "alkaryl" or "alkylaryl" refer to an alkyl group with an aryl
substituent. The terms "aralkyl" or "arylalkyl" refer to an aryl group with an alkyl
substituent, as for example, benzyl.
The term "halo," as used herein, includes chloro, bromo, iodo and fluoro.
The term "acyl ester" or "O-linked ester" refers to a carboxylic acid ester of
the formula C(O)R' in which the non-carbonyl moiety of the ester group, R', is a
straight or branched alkyl, or cycloalkyl or lower alkyl, alkoxyalkyl including
methoxymethyl, aralkyl including benzyl, aryloxyalkyl such as phenoxymethyl, aryl'
including phenyl optionally substituted with halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), C1 to C4 alkyl or
C1 to C4 alkoxy, sulfonate esters such as alkyl or aralkyl sulphonyl including
methanesulfonyl, the mono, di or triphosphate ester, trityl or monomethoxytrityl,
substituted benzyl, trialkylsilyl (e.g. dimethyl-t-butylsilyl) or diphenylmethylsilyl.
Aryl groups in the esters optimally include a phenyl group.
The term "acyl" refers to a group of the formula R"C(O)-, wherein R" is a
straight or branched alkyl, or cycloalkyl, amino acid, aryl including phenyl, alkylaryl,
aralkyl including benzyl, alkoxyalkyl including methoxymethyl, aryloxyalkyl such as
phenoxymethyl; or substituted alkyl (including lower alkyl), aryl including phenyl

optionally substituted with chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, C1 to C4 alkyl or C1 to C4
alkoxy, sulfonate esters such as alkyl or aralkyl sulphonyl including
methanesulfonyl, the mono, di or triphosphate ester, trityl or monomethoxy-trityl,
substituted benzyl, alkaryl, aralkyl including benzyl, alkoxyalkyl including
methoxymethyl, aryloxyalkyl such as phenoxymethyl. Aryl groups in the esters
optimally comprise a phenyl group. In particular, acyl groups include acetyl,
trifluoroacetyl, methylacetyl, cyclopropylacetyl, cyclopropyl carboxy, propionyl,
butyryl, hexanoyl, heptanoyl, octanoyl, neo-heptanoyl, phenylacetyl, 2-acetoxy-2-
phenylacetyl, diphenylacetyl, α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethyl-phenylacetyl,
bromoacetyl, 2-nitro-benzeneacetyl, 4-chloro-benzeneacetyl, 2-chloro-2,2-
diphenylacetyl, 2-chloro-2-phenylacetyl, trimethylacetyl, chlorodifluoroacetyl,
perfluoroacetyl, fluoroacetyl, bromodifluoroacetyl, methoxyacetyl, 2-
thiopheneacetyl, chlorosulfonylacetyl, 3-methoxyphenylacetyl, phenoxyacetyl, tert-
butylacetyl, trichloroacetyl, monochloro-acetyl, dichloroacetyl, 7H-dodecafluoro-
heptanoyl, perfluoro-heptanoyl, 7H-dodeca-fiuoroheptanoyl, 7-chlorododecafluoro-
heptanoyl, 7-chloro-dodecafluoro-heptanoyl, 7H-dodecafluoroheptanoyl, 7H-
dodeca-fluoroheptanoyl, nona-fluoro-3,6-dioxa-heptanoyl, nonafluoro-3,6-
dioxaheptanoyl, perfluoroheptanoyl, methoxybenzoyl, methyl 3-amino-5-
phenylthiophene-2-carboxyl, 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxy-benzoyl, 4-(1,1,2,2-
tetrafluoro-ethoxy)-benzoyl, 2-bromo-propionyl, omega-aminocapryl, decanoyl, n-
pentadecanoyl, stearyl, 3-cyclopentyl-propionyl, 1 -benzene-carboxyl, O-
acetylmandelyl, pivaloyl acetyl, 1-adamantane-carboxyl, cyclohexane-carboxyl, 2,6-
pyridinedicarboxyl, cyclopropane-carboxyl, cyclobutane-carboxyl,
perfluorocyclohexyl carboxyl, 4-methylbenzoyl, chloromethyl isoxazolyl carbonyl,
perfluorocyclohexyl carboxyl, crotonyl, l-methyl-1H-indazole-3-carbonyl, 2-
propenyl, isovaleryl, 1-pyrrolidinecarbonyl, 4-phenylbenzoyl. When the term acyl is
used, it is meant to be a specific and independent disclosure of acetyl, trifluoroacetyl,
methylacetyl, cyclopropylacetyl, propionyl, butyryl, hexanoyl, heptanoyl, octanoyl,
neo-heptanoyl, phenylacetyl, diphenylacetyl, ct-trifluoromethyl-phenylacetyl,
bromoacetyl, 4-chloro-benzeneacetyl, 2-chloro-2,2-diphenylacetyl, 2-chloro-2-
phenylacetyl, trimethylacetyl, chlorodifluoroacetyl, perfluoroacetyl, fluoroacetyl,
bromodifluoroacetyl, 2-thiopheneacetyl, tert-butylacetyl, trichloroacetyl,
monochloro-acetyl, dichloroacetyl, methoxybenzoyl, 2-bromo-propionyl, decanoyl,
n-pentadecanoyl, stearyl, 3-cyclopentyl-propionyl, 1 -benzene-carboxyl, pivaloyl
acetyl, 1-adamantane-carboxyl, cyclohexane-carboxyl, 2,6-pyridinedicarboxyl,
cyclopropane-carboxyl, cyclobutane-carboxyl, 4-methylbenzoyl, crotonyl, 1-methyl-
lH-indazole-3-carbonyl, 2-propenyl, isovaleryl, 4-phenylbenzoyl.
The term "lower acyl" refers to an acyl group in which R", above defined, is
lower alkyl.
The term "purine" or "pyrimidine" base includes, but is not limited to,
adenine, N6-alkylpurines, N6-acylpurines (wherein acyl is C(O)(alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl,
or arylalkyl), N6-benzylpurine, N6-halopurine, N6-vinylpurine, N6-acetylenic purine,
N6-acyl purine, N6-hydroxyalkyl purine, N6-allcylaminopurine, N6-thioallcyl purine,
N2-alkylpurines, N2-alkyl-6-thiopurines, thymine, cytosine, 5-fluorocytosine, 5-
methylcytosine, 6-azapyrimidine, ncluding 6-azacytosine, 2- and/or 4-
mercaptopyrmidine, uracil, 5-halouracil, including 5-fluorouracil, C5-
alkylpyrimidines, C5-benzylpyrimidines, C5-halopyrimidines, C5-vinylpyrimidine,

C5-acetylenic pyrimidine, C5-acyl pyrimidine, C5-hydroxyalkyl purine, C5-
amidopyrimidine, C5-cyanopyrimidine, ,C5-iodopyrimidine, C6-lodo-pyrimidine, C5-
Br-vinyl pyrimidine, C6-Br-vinyl pyriniidine, C5-nitropyrimidine, C5-amino-
pyrimidine, N2-alkylpurines, N -alkyl-6-thiopurines, 5-azacytidinyl, 5-azauracilyl,
triazolopyridinyl, imidazolopyridinyl, pyrrolopyrimidinyl, and pyrazolopyrimidinyl.
Purine bases include, but are not limited to, guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-
diaminopurine, and 6-chloropurine. Functional oxygen and nitrogen groups on the
base can be protected as necessary or desired. Suitable protecting groups are well
known to those skilled in the art, and include trimethylsilyl, dimethylhexylsilyl, t-
butyldimethylsilyl, and t-butyldiphenylsilyl, trityl, alkyl groups, and acyl groups such
as acetyl and propionyl, methanesulfonyl, and p-toluenesulfonyl.
The term "amino acid" includes naturally occurring and synthetic Α, β γ or δ
amino acids, and includes but is not limited to, amino acids found in proteins, i.e.
glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan,
proline, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartate,
glutamate, lysine, arginine and histidine. In a preferred embodiment, the amino acid
is in the L-configuration. Alternatively, the amino acid can be a derivative of alanyl,
valinyl, leucinyl, isoleucinyl, prolinyl, phenylalaninyl, tryptophanyl, methioninyl,
glycinyl, serinyl, threoninyl, cysteinyl, tyrosinyl, asparaginyl, glutaminyl, aspartoyl,
glutaroyl, lysinyl, argininyl, histidinyl, β-alanyl, β-valinyl, β-leucinyl, β-isoleucinyl,
β-prolinyl, β-phenylalaninyl, β-tryptophanyl, β-methioninyl, β-glycinyl, β-serinyl, β-
threoninyl, β-cysteinyl, β-tyrosinyl, β-asparaginyl, β-glutaminyl, β-aspartoyl, β-
glutaroyl, β-lysinyl, β-argininyl or β-histidinyl. When the term amino acid is used, it
is considered to be a specific and independent disclosure of each of the esters of α, β
γ or δ glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoieucine, methionine, phenylalanine,
tryptophan, proline, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine,
aspartate, glutamate, lysine, arginine and histidine in the D and L-configurations.
The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug" is used throughout
the specification to describe any pharmaceutically acceptable form (such as an ester,
phosphate ester, salt of an ester or a related group) of a compound which, upon
administration to a patient, provides the active compound. Pharmaceutically
acceptable salts include those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or
organic bases and acids. Suitable salts include those derived from alkali metals such
as potassium and sodium, alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium,
among numerous other acids well known in the pharmaceutical art. Pharmaceutically
acceptable salts may also be acid addition salts when formed with a nitrogen atom.
Such salts are derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acids,
such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, acetic, citric, tartaric, and the like.
Pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs refer to a compound that is metabolized, for
example hydrolyzed or oxidized, in the host to form the compound of the present
invention. Typical examples of prodrugs include compounds that have biologically
labile protecting groups on a functional moiety of the active compound. Prodrugs
include compounds that can be oxidized, reduced, aminated, deaminated,
hydroxylated, dehydroxylated, hydrolyzed, dehydrolyzed, alkylated, dealkylated,
acylated, deacylated, phosphorylated, dephosphorylated to produce the active
compound.

PREPARATION OF THE COMPOUNDS
(i) Synthesis of 3,5-Di-O-protected-D-ribono-γ-lactone
Wittig reaction of 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-glyceraldehyde 39 (Scheme 4)
with commercially available 40 affords the (E)-product 41 as a major product.
Sharpless dihydroxylation (J. Org. Chem. 1992,57,2768-2771) using AD-mix-β as
a dihydroxylation reagent gives only the desired product 42 in very high yield. High
yield lactonization of 42 to 2-C-methyl-D-arabino-γ-lactone (46) is achieved by
HCl/MeOH treatment. Selective O-benzoylation of primary and secondary OH
groups yields 3,5-di-O-benzol derivative 47 in high yield. Treatment of 47 with
DAST or Deoxofluor, [bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino]sulfur trifluoride, under various
conditions gives trace amounts of the desired 2'-fluoro-ribono-γ-lactone 49, but
mostly a mixture from which the non-fluorinated ribonolactone (48) is isolated.
However, treatment of 47 with excess, preferably three (3) equivalents, of tertiary
amine, preferably diisopropylethylamine, and excess, preferably five (5) equivalents,
of DAST or Deoxofluor provides 49 in ~50% yield. It was also found that using 3,5-
O-MOM instead of benzoyl protection, the yield of 48 approaches 90%. Thus,
treatment of 46 with dimethoxymethane in the presence of strong acid such as
trifluoromethylsulfonic acid affords 50, which upon reaction with DAST or
Deoxofluor in the presence of base yielded 87% isolated yield of 49.
It was also discovered that smooth fluorination can occur upon treatment of
the open-chain monobenzoate 43, which can be readily obtained by selective
benzoylation of 42, with DAST or Deoxofluor giving rise to the desired ethyl 2-
deoxy-2-fluoro-2-C-methyl-3-O-benzoyl-4,5-O-isopropylidene-D-ribonate 44.
Lactonization of 44 gives only the γ-lactone 45. Further benzoylation of 45 affords
dibenzoate 49.


In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for the
synthesis of intermediate 49 through Reformatsky condensation of 39 with an alkyl
2-bromopropionate such as 53 (Scheme 5) in the presence of activated zinc in an
ethereal solvent such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran (or a mixture of the two
solvents) to give 54, which is converted to 55 by oxidation. Possible oxidizing
agents are: activated dimethylsulfoxide, such as a mixture of dimethylsulfoxide,
trifluoroacetic anhydride or acetic anhydride (a Swern/Moffat oxidiation); chromium
trioxide or other chromate reagent; Dess-Martin periodinane; or
tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (TPAP) with or without molecular sieves. This
oxidation to provide the C-3 ketone preferably proceeds without affecting the
stereochemistry at C-4.
Fluorination of 55 is performed at the 2-position using an electrophilic
fluorination ("F+") in an appropriate solvent such as dimethylformamide,
tetrahydrofuran, ethanol, tert-butanol, or diethyl ether or any combination of these
solvents known to those skilled in the art (Rozen, et. al., J. Org. Chem., 2001,66,
7646-7468; Jun-An Ma and Dominique Cahard, Journal of Fluorine Chemistry,

2004, in press, and references cited therein), to afford 56. Some non-limiting
examples of electrophilic fluorinating reagents are Selectflour®, N-fluorosulfonimide
(NFSI), and AcOF. Stereoselective fluorination can be achieved by using a catalyst
such as an asymmetric transition metal complex catalyst as taught by Sodeoka, et al.
(JP2004010555) or by other catalysts. The starting β-keto ester 55 may also be first
converted to a ketene silyl acetal prior to fluorination (Rozen, et. al., J. Org. Chem.,
2001,66,7646-7468).
Selective reduction of the C-3 ketone 56 using triphenylsilane in the presence
of a Lewis acid such as AlCl3 or in the presence of an organic acid such as
trifluoroacetic acid (Kitazume, et al., J. Org. Chem., 1987, 52, 3218-3223) provides
two 2,3 anti products 57 and 58. However, by utilizing a stereoselective fluorination
combined with the selective reduction, a good yield (with high diastereomeric
excess) of 58 can be achieved. Benzoylation of 58 gives 44 which is converted to
lactone 45 as described earlier.

(ii) Preparation of nucleosides containing 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-3-methyl-D-
ribofuranosyl moiety by condensation.
A lactone such as 49 can be reduced to the corresponding sugar with DIBAL-
H. After acetylation of the anomeric hydroxyl group, 59 (Scheme 12) is obtained in
high yield. Condensation of 59 with silylated base (e.g., silylated N4-
benzoylcytosine under Vorbrüggen's conditions) affords a mixture of protected
anomeric nucleosides 60 and 60-a. After separation of the anomers, the desired β-
nucleoside 14 is prepared by deprotection with metal alcoholate in alcohol,
preferably NaOMe/MeOH, or methanolic ammonia.


Compound 59 can be converted into the bromo sugar 61, (Scheme 7) which
is condensed with a sodium salt of purine, e.g., sodio-N6-benzoyladenine to give the
corresponding protected purine nucleoside 62. The desired free nucleoside 63 is
readily obtainable by saponification.

(iii) Synthesis from preformed nucleosides:
Using preformed nucleosides as starting materials for preparation of the
desired 2'-C-alkyl-2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-β-D-ribonucleosides has certain advantages,
as the formation of anomers and their subsequent separation can be circumvented,
resulting in high yields of the targeted nucleosides.

Two procedures to prepare the desired nucleoside 14 from nucleoside
starting materials have been disclosed (Schemes 2 and 3). As mentioned earlier,
however, these procedures also produced two undesirable products 22 and 23, the
latter produced by neighboring group participation as shown in Scheme 8. The
separation of the desired nucleoside 14 from the mixture is rather cumbersome.
Thus, this invention prevents production of 23 using non-participating protecting
group, such as THP, methyl, ethyl, benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl-, benzyloxymethyl,
phenoxymethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, mesyl, tosyl, trifluoroacetyl,
trichloroacetyl, at the 3'-OH group.

An example is shown in Scheme 17. When N4,5'-O-dibenzoyl-3'-O-mesyl-
2'-deoxy-2'-C-methyl-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (64) is treated with DAST or
Deoxofluor, the desired fluorinated product 65 is obtained in 54% yield along with
the olefin 66 in 39% yield. As expected, no unfluorinated cytidine derivative 67 is
formed in detectable amounts. There are several ways to de-protect 65 to 14. An
example is shown in Scheme 9 that requires a double inversion of the 3'-
configuration.


When the 3'-O-substituent is a non-participating and non-leaving group, such
as methoxymethyl (MOM), methyl, benzyl, methoxybenzyl or tetrahydropyranyl, the
intermediate is fluorinated more effectively than 64.
The following examples are presented to illustrate the present invention but
are not to be limited thereto.
Experimental: 2,3-O-Isopropylidene-D-glyceraldehyde (39) is prepared by
literature procedures (Organic Synthesis, Annual Volume 72, page 6; J. Org. Chem.
1991,56,4056-4058) starting from commercially available protected D-mannitol.
Other reagents, including 40 and AD-mix-β, are from commercial sources.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1
Ethyl trans-2,3-dideoxy-4,5-O-isopropylidene-2-C-methyl-D-glycero-pent-2-enonate
(41)
To a solution of (carbethoxyethylidene)triphenylphosphorane (40, 25 g, 69
mmol) in dry CH2Cl2 (65 mL) at room temperature is added dropwise a solution of
2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-glyceraldehyde (39,9.41 g, 72.3 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (30 mL).
The mixture is stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is then
concentrated to dryness, diluted with light petroleum ether (300 mL), and kept at
room temperature for 2 h. Triphenylphosphine oxide precipitated is removed by
filtration and an aliquot is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by silica
gel column chromatography with 0-1.5% EtOAc in hexanes to give 41 (10.4 g, 71%)
as an oil (Carbohydrate Res., 115, 250-253 (1983)). 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.30 (t, J

= 6.8 Hz, 3H,-OCH2CH2), 1.41 (,s, 3H, CH3), 1.45 (,s, 3H, CH3), 1.89 (d, J= 1.2
Hz, 3H, 2-CH3), 3.63 (t, J= 8.0 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.14-4.23(m, 3H, H-5' and -
OCH2CH3), 4.86 (dd, J= 7.6 and 13.6 Hz, 1 H, H-4), 6.69 (dd, J= 1.6 and 8.0 Hz,
1H, H-3),
EXAMPLE 2
(2S,3R)-3-[(4R)-2,2-Dimethyl-[1,3]dioxolan-4-yl]-2,3-dihydroxy-2-methyl-
propionic acid ethyl ester (42)
A round-bottomed flask, equipped with a magnetic stirrer, is charged with 25
mL of t-BuOH, 25 mL of water, and 7.0 g of AD-mix-β. Stirring at room
temperature produced two clear phases; the lower aqueous phase appears bright
yellow. Methanesulfonamide (475 mg) is added at this point. The mixture is cooled
to 0 °C whereupon some of the dissolved salts precipitated, 1.07 g (5 mmol) of 41 is
added at once, and the heterogeneous slurry is stirred vigorously at 0 °C for 24 h.
After this time, while the mixture is stirred at 0 °C, solid sodium sulfite (7.5 g) is
added and the mixture allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 30-60
min. EtOAc (50 mL) is added to the reaction mixture, and after separation of the
layers, the aqueous phase is further extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer is dried
over Na2SO4 and concentrated to dryness. The residue is purified by silica gel
column chromatography with 20 % EtOAc in hexanes to provide 42 (1.13 g, 91%) as
a solid.
1H NMR (DMSO-d6) □ 118 (t, J= 6.8 Hz, 3H, -OCH2CH3), 1.24 (,s, 3H, CH3),
1.25 (,s, 3H, CH3), 1.28 (s, 3H, 2-CH3), 3.67 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1 H), 3.85,4.06 and
4.12 (m, 4 H), 4.96 (s, 1H, 2-OH, D2O exchangeable), 5.14 (d, J= 7.6 Hz, 2-OH,
D2O exchangeable). Anal. Calcd for C11H20O6: C, 53.22; H, 8.12; Found: C, 53.32;
H,8.18.

EXAMPLE 3
(2S,3R)-3-[(4R)-2,2-Dimethyl-[1,3]dioxolan-4-yl]-3-benzoyloxy-2-hydroxy-2-
methylpropionic acid ethyl ester (43)
To a solution of compound 42 (245 mg, 0.99 mmol) in dry pyridine (3 mL)
is added dropwise a solution of BzCl (300 mg, 2.1 mmol) in pyridine (1 mL). After
the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 2 h, the reaction is quenched with H2O
(1 mL). The mixture is concentrated to dryness and the residue is partitioned
between CH2Cl2 and sat. NaHCO3 solution. The organic phase is dried (arm.
Na2SO4), filtered and concentrated. The residue is purified by silica gel column
chromatography with 5 % EtOAc in hexanes to give 43 ( 247 mg, 71%) as a solid.
Anal. Calcd for C18H24O7: C, 61.35; H, 6.86; Found: C, 60.95; H, 6.73.
EXAMPLE 4
(2R,3R)-3-[(4R)-2,2-Dimethyl-[1,3]dioxolan-4-yl]-3-benzoyloxy-2-fluoro-2-methyl-
propionic acid ethyl ester (44)
To a solution of compound 43 (36 mg, 0.102 mmol) in anhydrous THF ( 1.5
mL) is added DAST or Deoxofluor (0.08 mL, 0.68 mmol) at 0 °C under argon. The
reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 3 h, then cooled down to 0 °C,
and carefully treated with cold saturated NaHCO3 solution (2 mL). The organic
layer is dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated to dryness. The residue is purified by
silica gel column chromatography with 1-3 % EtOAc in hexanes to give 44 (24.6
mg, 68%) as a syrup. HR-FAB MS; Obsd:m/z 361.1621. Calcd for C18H23O6FLi:
m/z 361.1639 (M+H)+.
EXAMPLE 5
3-O-Benzoyl-2-methyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-ribono-γ-lactone(45)
A mixture of compound 44 (308 mg, 0.86 mmol), MeCN (20 mL), water (1
mL) and CF3CO2H (0.17 mL) is refluxed at 80-85 °C for 3 h. The open-chain
intermediate is not isolated, but converted directly to 45 by azeotropic distillation

using a Deari-Stark water separator. The removed MeCN is replaced with dry
toluene, and the azeotropic distillation continued until the oil bath temperature
reached 130 °C. Stirring at 130 °C is continued overnight. The mixture is then
cooled to room temperature and the solvent is removed in vacuo to give a syrup,
which is purified by silica gel column chromatography with 10-15 % EtOAc in
hexanes to give, after solvents evaporation, solid 45 (136 mg, 58.3%).
EXAMPLE 6
3,5-Di-O-benzoyl-2-methyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-ribono-γ-lactone(49)
To a solution of 45 (60 mg, 0.224 mmol) in EtOAc (1 mL) are added
pyridine (100 mg, 1.26 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (2.7 mg). The mixture
is warmed to 60 °C and BzCl (110 mg, 0.79 mmol) in EtOAc (0.4 mL) is added
dropwise. After stirring for 3 h, the mixture is cooled to 0 °C and pyridine HCl salt
is filtered off. The filtrate is diluted with EtOH and the mixture is evaporated to
dryness. The residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography with 3-6 %
EtOAc in hexanes to provide, after solvents evaporation, solid 49 (75 mg, 91%).
EXAMPLE 7
2-Methyl-D-arabino-γ-lactone (46)
A solution of compound 42 (248 mg, 1 mmol) in 1.5 mL of EtOH is treated
with 0.3 mL of concentrated HC1. The reaction mixture is stirred at room
temperature for 2 h. The solvent is removed in vacuo (bath temp. residue is co-evaporated with toluene (3x10 mL) to give a residue, which is
purified by silica gel column chromatography with 70 % EtOAc in hexanes.
Evaporation of solvents give oily 46 (170 mg, 105%). Anal. Calcd for C6H10O5: C,
41.24; H, 6.22; Found: C, 41.00; H, 6.74.

EXAMPLE 8
3,5-Di-O-benzoyl-2-methyl-D-arabino-γ-lactone(47)
To a stirred solution of compound 46 (880 mg, 5.4 mmol) in dry pyridine (80
mL) is added dropwise a solution of BzCl (1.73 g, 12.29 mmol) in dry pyridine (45
mL) at room temperature over a period 75 min. The mixture is stirred for another 90
min, then treated with MeOH (5 mL), and concentrated to dryness. The residue is
purified by silica gel column chromatography with 12-20 % EtOAc in hexanes to
give 47 (1.1 g, 55%) as an oil.
EXAMPLE 9
3,S-Di-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-C-methyl-D-ribonolactone(49)
To a solution of 47 (430 mg, 1.16 mmol) in anhydrous THF (20 mL) and
diisopropylethylamine (1 mL, 5.74 mmol) is added DAST or DEOXOFLUOR (0.48
mL, 3.66 mmol) at room temperature under argon. The reaction mixture is stirred at
room temperature for 3 h, then cooled down to 0 °C, and carefully treated with cold
saturated NaHCO3 solution (5 mL). The reaction mixture is partitioned between
EtOAc (100 mL) and water (20 mL). The organic layer is dried over (Na2SO4) and
concentrated to dryness. The residue is purified by silica gel column
chromatography with 3-6 % EtOAc in hexanes to provide 49 (220 mg, 51%) as a
solid.
EXAMPLE 10
3,5-Di-O-benzoyl-2-methyl-D-ribono-lactone (48)
To a solution of 47 (160 mg, 0.432 mmol) in anhydrous CH2Cl2 (5 mL) is
added DAST or DEOXOFLUOR (0.15 mL, 1.14 mmol) at 0-5 °C under argon. The
reaction mixture is stirred at 0-5 °C for 1 h then at room temperature. After 24 hrs,
the reaction still does not go well as there is no major less polar product appears in
the TLCs. The reaction mixture is cooled to 0 °C, and carefully treated with cold
saturated NaHCO3 solution. The organic layer is dried over Na2SO4 and

concentrated to dryness. The residue is checked by proton NMR. It shows that the
major product is 3,5-dibenzoyl-2-methyl-D-ribono-γ-lactone (48), which is identical
with authentic sample. Traces of 49 are detected on the spectrum.
EXAMPLE 11
3,5-Di-O-methoxymethyl-2-C-methyl-D-arabino-γ-lactone (50)
To a solution of 2-methylarabinolactone (46) (324 mg, 2 mmol) in
CH2(OMe)2 (30 mL) and CH2Cl2 (30 mL) was added CF3SO3H (50 µL), and the
solution was stirred at RT under argon for 14 h. The reaction was quenched by
addition of 28% NH4OH (0.1 mL), and the mixture was dried by addition of Na2SO4.
After removal of the solvent by evaporation, the residue was purified by flash
chromatography on silica gel eluting with CH2Cl2/MeOH (95:5 to 9:1) to give 450
mg (90%) of product as a pale yellow oil. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): 6.10 (s, OH, D2O
exchangeable), 4.70 (q, 2H, CH2), 4.62 (d, 2H, CH2), 4.30 (m, 1H, H-4), 4.20 (d, 1H,
H-3), 3.80-3.65 (m, 2H, H-5), 3.30,3.28 (2s, 6H, 2 CH3), 1.26 (s, 3H, CH3).
EXAMPLE 12
3,S-Di-O-methoxymethyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-C-methyl-D-ribono-γ-lactone(51)
To a solution of 50 (100 mg, 0.4 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (3 mL) and pyridine (0.5
mL) at -78 °C is added DAST or DEOXOFLUOR (0.21 mL, 1.6 mmol), and the
solution is stirred at -78 °C for 15 min. Then the solution is allowed to warm up to
room temperature and stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction is quenched
by addition of saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (0.5 mL) and ice-water (0.5 mL),
followed by CH2Cl2 (20 mL) and saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (10 mL). The aqueous
layer is extracted with CH2Cl2 twice, the combined organic layers are washed with
NaHC03, and dried over Na2SO4. The evaporation of the solvent gives 51 (88 mg,
87%) as a brownish-yellow oil. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): 4.74 (q, J = 6.9 & 18.1 Hz,
2H, CH2), 4.63 (d, J = 0.77 Hz, 2H, CH2), 4.54 (m, 1H, H-4), 4.18 (dd, J = 7.8 &
20.0 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.86-3.71 (m, 2H, H-5), 3.34,3.28 (2s, 6H, 2 CH3), 1.59 (d, J =
24.26 Hz, 3H, CH3).

EXAMPLE 13
Ethyl 4,5-O-Isopropylidene-3,4,5-trihydroxy-2-methylvalerate (54)
To activated zinc (6.5 g, 0.10 mmol) is added about 20 mL of a solution
containing 39 (13.0 g, 0.1 mmol), 53 ( 13.0 mL, 0.10 mmol), THF (50 mL), and
diethyl ether (50 mL). After the addition, one crystal of I2 is added, whereby an
exotherm is generated, causing the solution to reflux. The remaining solution is
added over about 0.75 h as to maintain a gentle reflux. The mixture is gently heated
to reflux for an additional 1 h after the final addition. The mixture is cooled to room
temp, poured into ice (200 mL) and 1 N HC1 (200 mL) and allowed to stir until most
of the ice had melted (about 0.5 h). The organic layer is separated and the aqueous
layer is extracted with diethyl ether (2 x 75 mL). The combined organic layers are
washed with satd NaHCO3 (1 x 150 mL), brine (1 x 150 mL), dried (Na2SO4),
filtered, and concentrated to dryness in vacuo. Further drying in vacuo provides 54
as a mixture of diastereomers (15.1 g, 65.1%). This compound is used without
further purification.
EXAMPLE 14
Ethyl 4,5-O-Isopropylidene-3-oxo-2-methylvalerate (55)
Compound 54 (9.85 g, 0.042 mol) is dissolved in dry THF (50 mL).
Anhydrous DMSO (16.0 mL, 0.22 mol) is added and the resulting solution is cooled
to between -20 °C and -15 °C. Trifluoroacetic anhydride (9.8 mL, 0.69 mol) is
added dropwise over 15 minutes and the solution is stirred between -20 °C and -15
°C for 2 h after which anhydrous NEt3 (24.0 mL, 0.17 mol) is added over 20 min.
The resulting solution is stirred at room temp for 1 h, diluted with diethyl ether (50
mL), and washed with H2O (3 x 100 mL), dried (Na2SO4) and concentrate in vacuo
to compound 55 as a yellow oil (8.1 g, 82.0%) that is used without further
purification. 1H NMR (CDCl3,400 MHz): δ 1.24-1.38 (m, 26H), 3.81 (q, 1.3 H, J
= 7.3 Hz), 3.89 (q, 1.0H, J= 7.3 Hz), 3.99-4.04 (m, 3H), 4.10-4.20 (m, 7H), 4.21-
4.29 (m, 3H), 4.51 (dd, 1.0H, J= 8.1,6.2 Hz), 4.58 (dd, 1.3H, J= 7.7,5.0 Hz).

EXAMPLE 15
Ethyl 4,5-O-Isopropylidene-2-luoro-3-keto-2-methylvalerate (56)
Compound 55 (7.36 g, 0.042 mol) is dissolved in anhydrous DMF (5.0 mL)
and treated with a slurry of Selectfluor (55.0 g, 0.155 mol) in DMF (45.0 mL). The
mixture is placed in an oil bath maintained at 45 - 50 °C and the suspension is
maintained with stirring at that temperature overnight under an argon atmosphere.
The solution is concentrated to near dryness in vacuo, treated with diethyl ether (~25
mL) and washed with water (3 x 100 mL). The organic phase is dried (Na2SO4) and
concentrate in vacuo to compound 56 as a yellow oil (5.65 g, 71.2%) that was an
approximate 1:1 mixture of 2R : 25 fluorinated compound as judged by 19F NMR.
1H NMR (CDCl3,400 MHz): δ 1.20-1.46 (m, 16H), 1.70 (2d, 3H, J= 22.8 Hz),
4.05-4.10 (m, 2H,), 4.12-4.32 (m, 2H,), 4.90-97 (m, 1H). 19F NMR (CDCl3,376
MHz, C6F6 external standard): δ 4.30 (q), 4.01 (q).
EXAMPLE 16
3,5-O-dipivaloyl-2-methyl-D-arabino-γ-lactone (47 B).
To a solution of 42 (4 mmol, 897 mg) in EtOH (20 mL) was added
concentrated HCl (2.0 mL), and the solution stirred at room temperature for 1 h.
The solution was concentrated to dryness and the residue was co-evaporated with
THF (10 mL) and dissolved in pyridine (6 mL) and CH2Cl2 (14 mL). The solution
was cooled in ice-bath. To the solution was added pivaloyl chloride (8 mmol, 0.98
mL) and the solution stirred at 0 °C for 30 min. To the solution was added an
additional pivaloyl chloride (4 mmol, 0.49 mL) and the solution stirred at room
temperature for 5 h. To the solution was added 4-dimethylaminopyridine (100 mg)
and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 20 h. H2O (5 mL) was added
and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 min. EtOAc (50 mL) was
added. The mixture was washed with water, brine and dried (Na2SO4). Solvent was
removed and the residue was recrystallized from EtOAc-Hexanes to give fine
crystals (625 mg, 47%). H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 5.18 (d, J = 6.80Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.45,
4.22 (m, 2H, H-5), 4.41 (m, 1H, H-4), 3.32 (br s, 1H, OH, D20 exchangeable), 1.43
(s, 1H, Me), 1.25,1.22 [ss, 18H, C(Me)3].

EXAMPLE 17
2-Deoxy-3,5-O-dipivaloyl-2-fluoro-2-C-methyl-D-ribono-γ-lactone(49B).
To a solution of 47B (100 mg, 0.3 mmol) in THF (5 mL) were added EtNPr2
(2 mmol, 0.35 mL) and Deoxo-Fluor (0.18 mL, 0.9 mmol), and the solution was
stirred at room temperature for 4 h. To the solution was added additional Deoxo-
Fluor (0.18 mL, 0.9 mmol) and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 16 h,
refluxed for 1 h. EtOAc (50 mL) was added. The solution was washed with
aqueous NaHCO3, brine, dried (Na2SO4). Solvent was removed and the residue was
purified by column (10% EtOAc in hexanes) to give product as a solid (65 mg,
65%). H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 5.12 (m, 1H, H-3), 4.68 (m, 1H, H-4), 4.41,4.18 (mm,
2H, H-5), 1.63 (d, J = 23.2Hz, 1H, Me), 1.25,1.20 [ss, 18H, C(Me)3].

WE CLAIM:
1. A compound of the following formula:

wherein R3 and R5 can be independently H, CH3, 4-methoxybenzyl, trityl,
trialkylsilyl, t-butyldialkylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, tetraisopropyldisilyl, tetrahydropyranyl,
methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethoxymethyl, benzyl or R"C(O)-;
wherein R" is a straight or branched alkyl, or cycloalkyl, amino acid, aryl,
alkylaryl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl or substituted alkyl, aryl substituted by chloro,
bromo, fluoro, iodo, nitro, C1 to C4 alkyl or C1 to C4 alkoxy, sulfonate esters, mono, di, or
triphosphate ester, trityl or monomethoxy-trityl, substituted alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, or
aryloxyalkyl; and
alternatively, R3 and R5 are linked through -SiR2-O-SiR2- or -SiR2-, wherein R2 is
a C1 to C4 alkyl.
2. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are each independently H,
CH3, acetyl, benzoyl, pivaloyl, 4-nitrobenzoyl, 3-nitrobenzoyl, 2-nitrobenzoyl,
4-chlorobenzoyl, 3-chlorobenzoyl, 2-chlorobenzoyl, 4-methylbenzoyl, 3-methylbenzoyl,
2-methylbenzoyl, 4-phenylbenzoyl, benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, trityl, trialkylsilyl, t-butyl-
dialkylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, tetraisopropyldisilyl, tetrahydropyranyl, methoxymethyl, or
2-methoxyethoxymethyl.
3. A process for the preparation of the compound of claim 1, wherein R5 is H
and R3 is Bz, comprising the steps of:
(a) reacting a compound of the formula, 39,


with an alkyl-2-bromopropionate in the presence of activated zinc in a solvent to
provide a compound of formula 54;

(b) adding an oxidizing agent to the product of step (a) to provide a
ketone of formula 55;

(c) fluorinating the product of step (b) to produce a fluorinated ketone
of formula 56;

(d) reducing the fluorinated ketone of step (c) to provide a compound
of formula 58;


(e) benzoylating the product of step (d) to yield the compound of
formula 44;

(f) cyclizing the product of step (e) to yield the desired lactone of
formula 45;

4. The process of claim 3, wherein the solvent of step (a) is selected from the
group consisting of diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran.
5. The process of claim 3, wherein the oxidizing agent of step (b) is selected
from the group consisting of: an activated dimethylsulfoxide, a chromate agent, a Dess-
Martin periodinane, and tetrapropylammonium perruthenate.

6. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are each independently H,
CH3, acetyl, benzoyl, benzyl, trityl, trialkylsilyl, t-butyl-dialkylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl,
tetraisopropyldisilyl, tetrahydropyranyl, methoxymethyl, or 2-methoxyethoxymethyl.
7. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are each independently H,
CH3, acetyl, benzyl, trityl, trialkylsilyl, t-butyl-dialkylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl,
tetraisopropyldisilyl, or tetrahydropyranyl.
8. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are each independently H,
CH3, acetyl, benzyl, trityl, trialkylsilyl, t-butyl-dialkylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, or
tetraisopropyldisilyl.
9. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are each independently H,
CH3, acetyl, benzyl, trialkylsilyl, t-butyl-dialkylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl, or
tetraisopropyldisilyl.

10. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are each independently H,
CH3, acetyl, or benzyl.

11. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are each independently H,
CH3, or acetyl.
12. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are each independently H or
CH3.
13. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are H.
14. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are CH3.

15. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are acetyl.
16. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are benzyl.

17. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are R"C(O)-;
wherein R" is a straight or branched alkyl, or cycloalkyl, amino acid, aryl,
alkylaryl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl or substituted alkyl, aryl substituted by
chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, nitro, C1 to C4 alkyl or C1 to C4 alkoxy, sulfonate esters,

mono, di, or triphosphate ester, trityl or monomethoxy-trityl, substituted alkaryl, aralkyl,
alkoxyalkyl, or aryloxyalkyl.
18. A compound of claim 1, wherein R3 and R5 are linked through -SiR2-
O-SiR2- or -SiR2-; and
wherein R2 is selected from among methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and i-propyl.


The present invention provides (i) a process for preparing a 2-
deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyl-d-ribonolactone derivative, (ii)
conversion of the lactone to nucleosides with potent anti-HCV
activity, and their analogues, and (iii) a method to prepare the
anti-HCV nucleosides containing the 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-2-C-methyl-
ß-D-ribofuranosyl nucleosides from a preformed, preferably
naturally-occurring, nucleoside.

Documents:

00605-kolnp-2007- correspondence-1.2.pdf

00605-kolnp-2007-correspondence-1.1.pdf

00605-kolnp-2007-correspondence-1.3.pdf

00605-kolnp-2007-form-1-1.1.pdf

00605-kolnp-2007-p.a.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-description(complete).pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-form-1.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-form-2.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-form-3.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-form-5.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-international search authority report.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-pct form.pdf

0605-kolnp-2007-priority document.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-AMANDED CLAIMS 1.1.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-AMANDED CLAIMS-1.2.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

605-kolnp-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.3.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE-1.2.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE-1.4.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE)-1.1.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-FORM 1 1.1.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-FORM 18.1.pdf

605-kolnp-2007-form 18.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-FORM 2-1.2.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-FORM 3.1.1.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-FORM 3.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-FORM 5.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS 1.1.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS-1.2.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS1.3.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-PA.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-PCT IPER.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

605-KOLNP-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf


Patent Number 252108
Indian Patent Application Number 605/KOLNP/2007
PG Journal Number 17/2012
Publication Date 27-Apr-2012
Grant Date 25-Apr-2012
Date of Filing 20-Feb-2007
Name of Patentee PHARMASSET, INC.
Applicant Address 303 A COLLEGE ROAD EAST, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08540
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 WANG, PEIYUAN; 20 RADBURN ROAD, GLENROCK, NEW JERSEY 07452
2 CHUN, BYOUNG-KNOWN; 135 HERITAGE STREET, ROBBINSVILLE, NEW JERSEY 08691,
3 SHI, JUNXING; 3345 MCCLURE WOODS DRIVE, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096,
4 DU, JINFA; 1206 REINS CIRCLE, NEW HOPE, PENNSYLVANIA 18938,
5 STEC, WOJCIECH; KOLONIA WOLA ZARADZYNSKI GM. PABIANICE, UL. WOLSKA 26A, KSAWEROW, 95054,
PCT International Classification Number C07H 19/00
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2005/025916
PCT International Filing date 2005-07-21
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/589,866 2004-07-21 U.S.A.
2 60/608,230 2004-09-09 U.S.A.