Cover Picture: Synthesis of Acyclic Selenonucleoside Phosphonates as Potential Antiviral Agents (Asian J. Org. Chem. 2/2016). Issue 2 (23rd December 2015) - Sahu, Pramod K.
Abstract : A class of acyclic selenonucleoside phosphonates were developed based on the bioisosteric concept. Inspired by the potent antiviral activity of adefovir and tenofovir against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), seleno‐adefovir and seleno‐tenofovir were designed because selenium is a chemical isostere of oxygen or sulfur and is more lipophilic. These acyclic selenonucleoside phosphonates were synthesized via the condensation of bromoalkyladenine with a diselenide in the presence of reducing agent. The SN 2 condensation of the secondary bromide during the synthesis of chiral seleno‐tenofovir proceeded with complete conservation of enantiomeric excess. More information can be found in the communication by L. S. Jeong and co‐workers onpage 183 in Issue 2, 2016 (DOI:10.1002/ajoc.201500421 ).