Starting with 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine, a series of 5-alkynyl-2'-deoxyuridines (with n-propyl, cyclopropyl, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl, p-tolyl, p-tert-butylphenyl, p-pentylphenyl, and trimethylsilyl alkyne substituents) have been synthesized via the palladium-catalyzed (Sonogashira) coupling reaction followed by a simplified isolation protocol (76-94% yield). The cytotoxic activity of modified nucleosides against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells has been determined in vitro. 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, the only nucleoside in the series containing a terminal acetylene, is the most potent inhibitor with IC 50 (μM) 0.4 ± 0.3 for MCF-7 and 4.4 ± 0.4 for MDA-MB-231.

Reactions of 5-alkynyl-2'-deoxyuridines with dicobalt octacarbonyl Co2(CO)8 in THF at room temperature gave hexacarbonyl dicobalt nucleoside complexes (77-93%). The metallo-nucleosides were characterized, including an X-ray structure of a 1-cyclohexanol derivative. In crystalline form, the Co-Co bond is perpendicular to the plane of the uracil base, which is found in the anti position. The level of growth inhibition of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines was examined and compared to results obtained with the alkynyl nucleoside precursors. The cobalt compounds displayed good antiproliferative activities with IC50 values in the range of 5-50 microM. Interestingly, the coordination of the dicobalt carbonyl moiety to 5-alkynyl-2'-deoxyuridines led to a significant increase in the cytotoxic potency for alkyl/aryl substituents at the non-nucleoside side of the alkyne, but in the case of hydrogen (terminal alkyne) or a silyl group, a decrease of the cytotoxic effect was observed. As demonstrated using examples for an active and a low active target compound, the cytotoxicity was significantly influenced by the uptake into the tumor cells and the biodistribution into the nuclei.

5-Endo-dig electrophilic cyclization of 5-alkynyl-2'-deoxyuridines with N-iodosuccinimide or N-bromosuccinimide in acetone at room temperature gives 3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-5-halo-2,3-dihydrofuro[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-ones that usually precipitate from the reaction mixture (86-74%).

Nucleic acids U 0700 5-Alkynyl-2'-deoxyuridines: Chromatography-Free Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation Against Human Breast Cancer Cells. -(MENENI, S.; OTT, I.; SERGEANT, C. D.; SNIADY, A.; GUST, R.; DEMBINSKI*, R.; Bioorg. Med. Chem. 15 (2007) 8, 3082-3088; Dep. Chem., Oakland Univ., Rochester, MI 48309, USA; Eng.) -Bartels 32-207

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