It is reassuring to see the same result obtained by NMR (from a solution state) and by x-ray
crystallography (from a solid state) regarding the orientation of the base relative to the ring
(furan/thiophene). This finding would be useful when exploring biological activities of these
modified nucleosides. However, still lacking is a suitable explanation of why 3b has a
parallel orientation while 2b has an antiparallel structure. Although we could attribute these
orientations to the fact that the large-sized sulfur atom in 3b has to avoid the stereo hindrance
from both the base and the sugar moieties, thus keeping its parallel orientation while the
smaller oxygen atom in 2b does not need to do so. However, it should also be pointed out that
the NOESY experiment was carried out at ambient temperature. So if the temperature is
increased, the rotation of the ring around the C5-C2” becomes feasible, then the orientation
could be changed. More work is definitely required to answer these questions conclusively.
3. Conclusions
4-thio-5-furan- and 5-thiophene-modified ribouridines and their 2'-deoxy analogues have
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been successfully prepared. In addition to standard analyses, their H and C NMR have
been systemically investigated and various NMR spectroscopic approaches are used to
unambiguously assign all protons and all carbons in these novel modified nucleosides. The
orientations of the base (in 4-thiouridine or its deoxy analogue) relative to the ring (furan or
thiophene) are confirmed by both NMR and x-ray crystallographic studies.
4. Experimental Section
General procedures for the synthesis of modified nucleosides (2 and 3)
Melting point was determined on a XR-4-type micro-melting point detector without
correction. The compounds synthesized were purified by column chromatography using silica
gel (200–300mesh) except for recrystallization and thin-layer chromatography(TLC) using
silica gel 60 F254 plates (250 mm; Qingdao Ocean Chemical Company, China). IR spectra
were recorded using a Nicolet 550 Spectrophotometer (4000~400 cm-1) with a crystalline
sample spread on KBr pellets. UV spectra were recorded using UV-VIS spectrophotometer
(JASCO, Japan); 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were obtained by a 500 MHz Bruker AV-400
spectrometer with TMS as an internal standard. The mass spectrum was obtained on
Hewlett-Packard 1100 LC/MSD spectrometer.
Protecting the sugar hydroxyl groups: The nucleoside (deoxyribouridine, 1a or uridine, 1b)
(4.09 mmol) dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (12 mL), was treated with dry acetic anhydride
(2.75 mL, 29 mmol) for 5 h. The yields were at 97-99%.
Iodination at the 5-psotion of the base: A mixture of acetyl protected nucleosides
(0.5mmol), iodine (76 mg, 0.3 mmol), Ceric ammonium nitrate (137 mg, 0.25 mmol) and
MeCN (8ml) was stirred at 80℃ for 1h. The yields were around 45% -70%.
Replacing the iodo group with a ring (furan/thiophene): Bis (triphenylphosphine)
palladium (II) chloride (0.016 g, 0.023 mmol)and 2-(trimethyltannyl)-furan /-thiophene (3.42
mmol)was added to the solution of 5-iodo-acetyl protected nucleosides (1.14 mmol. The
mixture was heated at 90℃ and refluxing for 3 h. The yields were around 75%.
Thioation at the 4-position of the base: 5-(furyl-2-yl/thiophen-2-yl)-acetyl protected
nucleosides (2.32 mmol) were dissolved in peroxide-free 1,4-dioxane (50 mL) and P2S5 (1.0 g,
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