key: cord-276781-ujvkcz4s
authors: Papadakis, Georgios; Gerasi, Maria; Snoeck, Robert; Marakos, Panagiotis; Andrei, Graciela; Lougiakis, Nikolaos; Pouli, Nicole
title: Synthesis of New Imidazopyridine Nucleoside Derivatives Designed as Maribavir Analogues
date: 2020-10-03
journal: Molecules
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194531
sha: 
doc_id: 276781
cord_uid: ujvkcz4s

The strong inhibition of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication by benzimidazole nucleosides, like Triciribine and Maribavir, has prompted us to expand the structure–activity relationships of the benzimidazole series, using as a central core the imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine scaffold. We have thus synthesized a number of novel amino substituted imidazopyridine nucleoside derivatives, which can be considered as 4-(or 7)-aza-d-isosters of Maribavir and have evaluated their potential antiviral activity. The target compounds were synthesized upon glycosylation of suitably substituted 2-aminoimidazopyridines, which were prepared in six steps starting from 2-amino-6-chloropyridine. Even if the new compounds possessed only a slight structural modification when compared to the original drug, they were not endowed with interesting antiviral activity. Even so, three derivatives showed promising cytotoxic potential.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a prevalent herpesvirus, with IgG antibodies indicating past infection found in approximately 60% of adults in developed countries and almost 100% in developing ones [1] . Although HCMV infection rarely leads to clinical manifestations in immunocompetent hosts, there is an increasing amount of data associating lifelong viral persistence with vascular diseases (atherosclerosis [2] , hypertension [3] ) and the progression of some cancer types [4] . In addition, HCMV is a major opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals, posing a serious threat to neonates, allograft recipients and AIDS patients [5] . Perinatal infection can cause irreversible hearing loss, blindness and mental retardation, while immunosuppressed adults may develop multi-organ failure syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition [1, 5] .

Ganciclovir (GCV) and its orally bioavailable prodrug, Valganciclovir, have served as gold standards for pre-emptive therapy and prophylaxis against HCMV in solid organ transplant patients [6] as well as for the treatment of CMV retinitis [7] for almost 30 years. However, their myelosuppressive potential precludes their prophylactic use in stem cell transplant recipients, which has led to their administration, mostly upon engraftment [8] . In addition, mutations mapping in the gene encoding for the UL97 kinase (responsible for the first phosphorylation of GCV towards its active triphosphate form) and in the UL54 gene encoding for the DNA polymerase (target of ganciclovir triphosphate), have led to the emergence of drug resistant strains [9] . Furthermore, the DNA polymerase inhibitors Cidofovir and Foscarnet, which are currently approved as second line agents, have several drawbacks that limit their clinical use, namely severe side effects and poor pharmacokinetic properties [10] .

It has become clear that there is an urgent need for better tolerated and more effective antiviral drugs, in order to fully address the health risks posed by HCMV. There are four compounds that have been considered or are at an advanced stage of clinical development for this purpose (Figure 1 ). Brincidofovir is a per os administered hexadecyloxypropylester of Cidofovir aimed at addressing the parent compound's dose-limiting renal toxicity [11] . The development of Brincidofovir for therapy of HCMV has been halted because of increased gastrointestinal toxicity of the oral formulation in adult hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. The non-nucleoside guanosine analogue Cyclopropavir, which shares the same mechanism of action with GCV, has proven to be more potent in HCMV inhibition in vitro [12] and Phase I trials have been recently completed. Furthermore, the search for novel molecular targets within the viral life cycle has led to the fast track approval of the terminase inhibitor Letermovir in late 2017, for the prophylaxis of HCMV infection and disease in adult HCMV-seropositive recipients of an allogeneic human stem cell transplant (HSCT) [13] . Phase II clinical trials are also about to be launched for the use of Letermovir in paediatric patients who underwent an HSCT.

which has led to their administration, mostly upon engraftment [8] . In addition, mutations mapping in the gene encoding for the UL97 kinase (responsible for the first phosphorylation of GCV towards its active triphosphate form) and in the UL54 gene encoding for the DNA polymerase (target of ganciclovir triphosphate), have led to the emergence of drug resistant strains [9] . Furthermore, the DNA polymerase inhibitors Cidofovir and Foscarnet, which are currently approved as second line agents, have several drawbacks that limit their clinical use, namely severe side effects and poor pharmacokinetic properties [10] .

It has become clear that there is an urgent need for better tolerated and more effective antiviral drugs, in order to fully address the health risks posed by HCMV. There are four compounds that have been considered or are at an advanced stage of clinical development for this purpose (Figure 1 ). Brincidofovir is a per os administered hexadecyloxypropylester of Cidofovir aimed at addressing the parent compound's dose-limiting renal toxicity [11] . The development of Brincidofovir for therapy of HCMV has been halted because of increased gastrointestinal toxicity of the oral formulation in adult hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. The non-nucleoside guanosine analogue Cyclopropavir, which shares the same mechanism of action with GCV, has proven to be more potent in HCMV inhibition in vitro [12] and Phase I trials have been recently completed. Furthermore, the search for novel molecular targets within the viral life cycle has led to the fast track approval of the terminase inhibitor Letermovir in late 2017, for the prophylaxis of HCMV infection and disease in adult HCMV-seropositive recipients of an allogeneic human stem cell transplant (HSCT) [13] . Phase II clinical trials are also about to be launched for the use of Letermovir in paediatric patients who underwent an HSCT. At the same time, the benzimidazole L-riboside Maribavir is about to be evaluated in Phase III trials involving transplant recipients with HCMV infections that are refractory or resistant to the currently approved drugs as well as for its potential superiority over Valganciclovir in HSCT patients. Maribavir was developed in the late 1990s and has been proven to inhibit viral DNA synthesis as well as nucleocapsid egress from the nucleus via the inhibition of the viral kinase UL97 [14] . However, initial Phase III clinical trials failed to prove sufficient benefits for post-transplant At the same time, the benzimidazole l-riboside Maribavir is about to be evaluated in Phase III trials involving transplant recipients with HCMV infections that are refractory or resistant to the currently approved drugs as well as for its potential superiority over Valganciclovir in HSCT patients. Maribavir was developed in the late 1990s and has been proven to inhibit viral DNA synthesis as well as nucleocapsid egress from the nucleus via the inhibition of the viral kinase UL97 [14] . However, initial Phase III clinical trials failed to prove sufficient benefits for post-transplant patients. This has later on been accredited to the pre-emptive therapy with GCV that several patients had received prior to surgery and to the low daily administered dose [15] .

As a continuation of our previous involvement with the synthesis and evaluation of purine isosteric bioactive nucleosides [16] [17] [18] [19] , we designed and synthesized a number of novel nucleoside derivatives, which can be considered as 4-(or 7)-aza-d-isosters of Maribavir, having in mind that the d-enantiomer of Maribavir possesses interesting anti-HCMV properties as well [20] . Our goal was to Molecules 2020, 25, 4531 3 of 13 expand the structure-activity relationships of the benzimidazole series to the less-studied and more "purine-like" imidazo [4,5-b] pyridine scaffold, retaining the pattern of the 5,6-dichlorosubstitution in the new compounds. The diverse nature of the 2-amino groups in each of the final pair of isomeric nucleosides was at the core of our attempt to explore the spatial limitations of possible target enzymes as well as to gain some insight on potential interactions developed. Within this context, we disclose herein the preparation and pharmacological evaluation of the 1-and 3-regioisomeric β-d-ribosides of 5,6-dichloroimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine, introducing various amino substituents at the vacant position of the imidazole ring.

The synthetic route we envisaged in order to gain access to the target nucleosides involved the direct glycosylation of the suitably substituted imidazo [4,5-b] pyridines 7a-d (Scheme 1). A common intermediate for the synthesis of these derivatives is 5,6-dichloropyridine-2,3-diamine (6), which was prepared following a five-step procedure, previously described by our group, starting from the pyridinamine 1 [21] .

in the new compounds. The diverse nature of the 2-amino groups in each of the final pair of isomeric nucleosides was at the core of our attempt to explore the spatial limitations of possible target enzymes as well as to gain some insight on potential interactions developed. Within this context, we disclose herein the preparation and pharmacological evaluation of the 1-and 3-regioisomeric β-D-ribosides of 5,6-dichloroimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine, introducing various amino substituents at the vacant position of the imidazole ring.

The synthetic route we envisaged in order to gain access to the target nucleosides involved the direct glycosylation of the suitably substituted imidazo [4,5-b] pyridines 7a-d (Scheme 1). A common intermediate for the synthesis of these derivatives is 5,6-dichloropyridine-2,3-diamine (6), which was prepared following a five-step procedure, previously described by our group, starting from the pyridinamine 1 [21] .

Amino substituted imidazopyridine derivatives 7a-c were prepared using a one-pot-two-stage procedure, which involves an initial treatment of 6 with appropriately substituted N-alkylisothiocyanates in refluxing THF. The resulting mixture of isomeric thioureas undergoes rapid cyclodesulfurization in the presence of mercury oxide [22] , yielding compounds 7a-c. Concerning the preparation of the primary aminoderivative 7d, we implemented a different approach, which had been previously reported by Townsend [23] , for the synthesis of the corresponding benzimidazole analogue. Thus, the addition of cyanogen bromide in a suspension of diamine 6 in a 1:1 mixture of MeOH and water provided 7d as the sole reaction product in very good yield. Amino substituted imidazopyridine derivatives 7a-c were prepared using a one-pot-two-stage procedure, which involves an initial treatment of 6 with appropriately substituted N-alkylisothiocyanates in refluxing THF. The resulting mixture of isomeric thioureas undergoes rapid cyclodesulfurization in the presence of mercury oxide [22] , yielding compounds 7a-c. Concerning the preparation of the primary aminoderivative 7d, we implemented a different approach, which had been previously reported by Townsend [23] , for the synthesis of the corresponding benzimidazole analogue. Thus, the addition of cyanogen bromide in a suspension of diamine 6 in a 1:1 mixture of MeOH and water provided 7d as the sole reaction product in very good yield.

The target N1and N3-ribonucleoside acetates were prepared under modified Vorbrüggen conditions. The in situ formation of the persilylated heterocyclic bases by treatment of the corresponding heterocyclic compounds 7a-d with N,O-bistrimethylsilylacetamide (BSA) was followed by the addition of peracetylated β-d-ribofuranose and trimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) (Scheme 2). Thus, concerning the glycosylation reaction of compounds 7a-c, the major products isolated were the 3-β-d-ribosides 8a-c, as a mixture with a small amount of the corresponding α-anomers 9a-c. The N1 regioisomers were also obtained as mixtures of the 1-β-d ribosides 10a-c with their corresponding α-d anomers 11a-c.

Molecules 2020, 25, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 13 reaction of compounds 7a-c, the major products isolated were the 3-β-D-ribosides 8a-c, as a mixture with a small amount of the corresponding α-anomers 9a-c. The N1 regioisomers were also obtained as mixtures of the 1-β-D ribosides 10a-c with their corresponding α-D anomers 11a-c.

Regarding the N1 regioisomers, we were able to isolate pure N1-β-D nucleoside acetates 10a-c as well as their corresponding N1-α-D anomers 11a-c, upon chromatographic purification. The site of ribosylation as well as the anomeric configuration were unambiguously determined on the basis of NOE spectroscopy. Taking into consideration the NOE spectra of compounds 10a-c and 11a-c, we observed clear correlation peaks between the aromatic proton and protons of the furanose ring, determinant of the N1-ribosylation pattern. In addition, we also noticed cross correlation peaks between 1′-H and 4′-H of the sugar moiety in the spectra of compounds 10a-c. Such peaks were not observed on the NOE spectra of 11a-c, thus clearly concluding that 11a-c were the N1-α-D nucleoside products of the reaction, while 10a-c were their corresponding β-D anomers. Deacetylation of 10a-c with methanolic ammonia provided the final compounds 13a-c.

Isolation of the pure 3-β-D nucleoside acetates proved to be difficult at this stage, so the mixtures of 8a-c with their corresponding α-anomers 9a-c were subjected to ammoniolysis, to provide the deprotected nucleosides. The ethylamino (12a) and isopropylamino (12b) derivatives were isolated in pure form by recrystallization, whereas an analytically pure sample of the benzylamino compound 12c was obtained upon purification with semi-preparative HPLC. Anomeric purity and configuration of compounds 12a-c were determined on the basis of 1 H-NMR and NOE spectra, respectively. In the latter ones, we observed clear correlation peaks between 1′-H and 4′-H of the ribofuranose moiety, while there was a profound absence of correlation peaks between the aromatic and sugar protons on the NOE spectra of each of the aforementioned compounds. The close examination of 1D and 2D NMR spectra reveals that a simple differentiation between each pair of regio isomers can be easily made upon inspection of the chemical shift of the aromatic proton. This proton appears upfield in the case of the N3-isomers 12a-d (7.7-7.8 ppm) whereas it shifts downfield (8.0-8.1 ppm) concerning the N1-isomers 13a-d.

Applying the same reaction conditions for the glycosylation of the primary aminoderivative 7d, we isolated from the reaction mixture the 3-β-D nucleoside acetate (8d), as well as the 1-β-D isomer (10d), without detectable amounts of the corresponding α-anomers. Deprotection of 8d and 10d with methanolic ammonia provided the respective final ribosides 12d and 13d. However, the major product of the glycosylation reaction of 7d turned out to be the di-ribosylated compound 14 ( Figure  2 ), whose structure was elucidated on the basis of 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, NOE and mass spectra. Two sets of sugar carbon peaks were observed on the 13 C-NMR spectrum of 14, in the presence of only one set of aromatic carbon peaks. The sites of substitution as well as the anomeric configuration were assigned as exemplified in Figure 2 (namely N,1-β-D) . Upon careful examination of the NOE Scheme 2. Reagents and conditions: (a) (i) N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide, ACN, reflux, 2h,

Regarding the N1 regioisomers, we were able to isolate pure N1-β-d nucleoside acetates 10a-c as well as their corresponding N1-α-d anomers 11a-c, upon chromatographic purification. The site of ribosylation as well as the anomeric configuration were unambiguously determined on the basis of NOE spectroscopy. Taking into consideration the NOE spectra of compounds 10a-c and 11a-c, we observed clear correlation peaks between the aromatic proton and protons of the furanose ring, determinant of the N1-ribosylation pattern. In addition, we also noticed cross correlation peaks between 1 -H and 4 -H of the sugar moiety in the spectra of compounds 10a-c. Such peaks were not observed on the NOE spectra of 11a-c, thus clearly concluding that 11a-c were the N1-α-d nucleoside products of the reaction, while 10a-c were their corresponding β-d anomers. Deacetylation of 10a-c with methanolic ammonia provided the final compounds 13a-c.

Isolation of the pure 3-β-d nucleoside acetates proved to be difficult at this stage, so the mixtures of 8a-c with their corresponding α-anomers 9a-c were subjected to ammoniolysis, to provide the deprotected nucleosides. The ethylamino (12a) and isopropylamino (12b) derivatives were isolated in pure form by recrystallization, whereas an analytically pure sample of the benzylamino compound 12c was obtained upon purification with semi-preparative HPLC. Anomeric purity and configuration of compounds 12a-c were determined on the basis of 1 H-NMR and NOE spectra, respectively. In the latter ones, we observed clear correlation peaks between 1 -H and 4 -H of the ribofuranose moiety, while there was a profound absence of correlation peaks between the aromatic and sugar protons on the NOE spectra of each of the aforementioned compounds. The close examination of 1D and 2D NMR spectra reveals that a simple differentiation between each pair of regio isomers can be easily made upon inspection of the chemical shift of the aromatic proton. This proton appears upfield in the case of the N3-isomers 12a-d (7.7-7.8 ppm) whereas it shifts downfield (8.0-8.1 ppm) concerning the N1-isomers 13a-d.

Applying the same reaction conditions for the glycosylation of the primary aminoderivative 7d, we isolated from the reaction mixture the 3-β-d nucleoside acetate (8d), as well as the 1-β-d isomer (10d), without detectable amounts of the corresponding α-anomers. Deprotection of 8d and 10d with methanolic ammonia provided the respective final ribosides 12d and 13d. However, the major product of the glycosylation reaction of 7d turned out to be the di-ribosylated compound 14 (Figure 2) , whose structure was elucidated on the basis of 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, NOE and mass spectra. Two sets of sugar carbon peaks were observed on the 13 C-NMR spectrum of 14, in the presence of only one set of aromatic carbon peaks. The sites of substitution as well as the anomeric configuration were assigned as exemplified in Figure 2 (namely N,1-β-d) . Upon careful examination of the NOE spectrum of 14, we observed a set of correlation peaks between the aromatic proton and protons of one sugar moiety as well as correlation peaks between the anomeric proton of each furanose with its corresponding 4 -proton.

Molecules 2020, 25, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 13 spectrum of 14, we observed a set of correlation peaks between the aromatic proton and protons of one sugar moiety as well as correlation peaks between the anomeric proton of each furanose with its corresponding 4′-proton. 

Compounds 12a-d and 13a-d were evaluated for their activity against Vaccinia virus, Adeno virus-2, Human Coronavirus (229E), HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, and HCMV (AD-169 and Davis strains) in human embryonic lung cell cultures (HEL) (Tables S1-S3). Unfortunately, the new derivatives proved to lack antiviral activity against all viruses tested. In particular, the substitution of the benzimidazole pharmacophore present in Maribavir by the imidazo [4,5-b] pyridine scaffold, in combination with the replacement of the L-sugar configuration with its corresponding D-riboside, resulted in total loss of the anti-HCMV activity. Nevertheless, upon determination of the cytotoxic properties of the new derivatives, compounds 12c, 12d and 13c, proved to possess moderate antiproliferative activity against the three cancer cell lines tested, namely human T-lymphocyte cells (CEM), human cervix carcinoma cells (HeLa) and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) (Table S4) . Among these compounds, both 2-benzylamino-substituted derivatives 12c and 13c showed antiproliferative activity against CEM cell-line, with equipotent IC50 values (37 ± 3 and 39 ± 8µ M) and at the same time, 12c proved active in inhibiting the growth of HeLa and HMEC-1 cell lines, possessing IC50 values of 36 ± 7 µ M and 20 ± 2 µ M, respectively. The increased antiproliferative effects of 12c and 13c are worth investigating further and are currently under active search in our laboratories.

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was distilled from sodium/benzophenone ketyl immediately prior to use. Melting points were determined on a Büchi apparatus and are uncorrected. 1 H-NMR spectra and 2 D (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance III 600 or a Bruker Avance (Bruker, Karlsruhe, Germany) DRX 400 instrument, whereas 13 C-NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance III 600 in deuterated solvents and were referenced to TMS (δ scale). The signals of 1 H and 13 C spectra were unambiguously assigned by using 2D NMR techniques: 1 H 1 H COSY, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC. Mass spectra were recorded with a LTQ Orbitrap Discovery instrument, possessing an Ionmax ionization source. Column chromatography was performed on Merck (Merk, Darmstadt, Germany) silica gel 60 (0.040-0.063 mm), unless specified otherwise. Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was carried out on precoated (0.25 mm) Merck silica gel F-254 plates. Preparative HPLC was performed on a system equipped with two Prep LabAlliance pumps (ASI, Richmond, CA, USA), a Fortis C-18 (5μm) column (i.d. 10 × 250 mm) and a FLASH 06S DAD 600 detector (ECOM, Praha, Czech Republic). Optical rotations were obtained on a Perkin-Elmer 341 Polarimeter (Perkin Elmer, Shelton, CT, USA). 

Compounds 12a-d and 13a-d were evaluated for their activity against Vaccinia virus, Adeno virus-2, Human Coronavirus (229E), HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, and HCMV (AD-169 and Davis strains) in human embryonic lung cell cultures (HEL) (Tables S1-S3). Unfortunately, the new derivatives proved to lack antiviral activity against all viruses tested. In particular, the substitution of the benzimidazole pharmacophore present in Maribavir by the imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine scaffold, in combination with the replacement of the l-sugar configuration with its corresponding d-riboside, resulted in total loss of the anti-HCMV activity. Nevertheless, upon determination of the cytotoxic properties of the new derivatives, compounds 12c, 12d and 13c, proved to possess moderate antiproliferative activity against the three cancer cell lines tested, namely human T-lymphocyte cells (CEM), human cervix carcinoma cells (HeLa) and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) (Table S4) . Among these compounds, both 2-benzylamino-substituted derivatives 12c and 13c showed antiproliferative activity against CEM cell-line, with equipotent IC 50 values (37 ± 3 and 39 ± 8µM) and at the same time, 12c proved active in inhibiting the growth of HeLa and HMEC-1 cell lines, possessing IC 50 values of 36 ± 7 µM and 20 ± 2 µM, respectively. The increased antiproliferative effects of 12c and 13c are worth investigating further and are currently under active search in our laboratories.

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was distilled from sodium/benzophenone ketyl immediately prior to use. Melting points were determined on a Büchi apparatus and are uncorrected. 1 H-NMR spectra and 2 D (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance III 600 or a Bruker Avance (Bruker, Karlsruhe, Germany) DRX 400 instrument, whereas 13 C-NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance III 600 in deuterated solvents and were referenced to TMS (δ scale). The signals of 1 H and 13 C spectra were unambiguously assigned by using 2D NMR techniques: 1 H 1 H COSY, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC. Mass spectra were recorded with a LTQ Orbitrap Discovery instrument, possessing an Ionmax ionization source. Column chromatography was performed on Merck (Merk, Darmstadt, Germany) silica gel 60 (0.040-0.063 mm), unless specified otherwise. Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was carried out on precoated (0.25 mm) Merck silica gel F-254 plates. Preparative HPLC was performed on a system equipped with two Prep LabAlliance pumps (ASI, Richmond, CA, USA), a Fortis C-18 (5µm) column (i.d. 10 × 250 mm) and a FLASH 06S DAD 600 detector (ECOM, Praha, Czech Republic). Optical rotations were obtained on a Perkin-Elmer 341 Polarimeter (Perkin Elmer, Shelton, CT, USA). completed. The mixture was filtered warm through a celite pad, which was thoroughly washed with warm MeOH. The solvent was then vacuum-evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography using a mixture of CHCl 3 /MeOH (95/5 to 85/15, v/v) as the eluent, to result in 340 mg of 7a (52% overall yield). Beige solid, mp > 300 • C (dec) , (MeOH). 1 To a suspension of the imidazopyridine 7a (250 mg, 1.08 mmol) in dry CH 3 CN (10 mL) was added N,O-bis-(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (291 mg, 1.43 mmol) and the reaction mixture was refluxed for 2 h. The suspension was then cooled to room temperature and 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-ribofuranose (413 mg, 1.30 mmol) was added, followed by the dropwise addition of trimethylsilyltriflate (0.3 mL, 1.54 mmol) at 0 • C. The mixture was refluxed for 3 h, the solvent was vacuum evaporated, the residue was dissolved in EtOAc (100 mL) and washed with a saturated NaHCO 3 solution (100 mL). The aqueous phase was extracted once more with EtOAc (100 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with brine (200 mL), dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and evaporated to dryness. The resulting oil was purified by column chromatography, using a mixture of CHCl 3 /MeOH (99/1 to 97/3, v/v) as the eluent, to afford 8a, as a mixture with its corresponding α-anomer 9a (280 mg, total yield 53% for two anomers, 8a:9a (3-β:α) ratio 12:1, as estimated by 1 [4,5-b] pyridin-2-amine (11b): These derivatives were prepared by a procedure analogous to that described for 8a,9a,10a,11a, starting from imidazopyridine 7b (280 mg, 1.14 mmol). Purification was effected by column chromatography, using a mixture of CHCl 3 /MeOH (99.5/0.5 to 98/2, v/v) as the eluent, to afford 8b, as a mixture with its corresponding α-anomer 9b (350 mg, 61% total yield for two anomers, 8b:9b (3-β:α) ratio 24:1, as estimated by 1 H-NMR), 10b (140 mg, 24% yield) and 11b (50 mg, 9% yield).

Data 

The compounds were evaluated against different herpesviruses, including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain KOS, a thymidine kinase-deficient (TK -) HSV-1 KOS strain that is resistant to ACV (ACV r ), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) strain G, adeno virus-2, human coronavirus, varicella-zoster virus (VZV) TK + strain Oka, TK -VZV strain 07-1, and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strains AD-169 and Davis. The antiviral assays were based on inhibition of virus-induced cytopathicity or plaque formation (for VZV) in human embryonic lung (HEL) fibroblasts. Confluent cell cultures in microtiter 96-well plates were inoculated with 100 CCID 50 of virus (1 CCID 50 being the virus dose to infect 50% of the cell cultures) or with 20 plaque forming units (PFU) (for VZV) and the cell cultures were incubated in the presence of varying concentrations of the test compounds. Viral cytopathicity or plaque formation (VZV) was recorded as soon as it reached completion in the control virus-infected cell cultures that were not treated with the test compounds. Antiviral activity was expressed as the EC 50 or compound concentration required, to reduce virus-induced cytopathicity or viral plaque formation by 50%. Cytotoxicity of the test compounds was expressed as the minimum cytotoxic concentration (MCC) or the compound concentration that caused a microscopically detectable alteration of cell morphology. Alternatively, the cytostatic activity of the test compounds was measured based on inhibition of cell growth. HEL cells were seeded at a rate of 5 × 10 3 cells/well into 96-well microtiter plates and allowed to proliferate for 24 h. Then, medium containing different concentrations of the test compounds was added. After 3 days of incubation at 37 • C, the cell number was determined with a Coulter counter. The cytostatic concentration was calculated as the CC50, or the compound concentration required to reduce cell proliferation by 50% relative to the number of cells in the untreated controls.

The human cell lines used for the proliferation were Hela (ATCC #CCL-2, cervical carcinoma), CEM (T-lymphoblastoid cells) and HMEC-1 (human microvascular endothelialcells). First, (5−7.5) × 10 4 cells were seeded onto standard 96-well microtiter plates and left to attach for 24 h. On the next day, test compounds were added in five serial 10-fold dilutions. The cell growth rate was evaluated after 72 h of incubation, using MTT assay. Obtained results are expressed as an IC 50 value, which stands for the concentration of the compound necessary for 50% growth inhibition. The IC 50 values are calculated from concentration-response curve using linear regression analysis. Each test was performed in quadruplicate in at least two individual experiments.

Supplementary Materials: The following are available online: a figure indicating the numbering of the imidazopyridine nucleosides ( Figure S1 ); 1 H-and 13 C-NMR spectra of the target nucleosides 12a-d and 13a-d, and of the di-ribosylated by-product 14 ( Figures S2-S10) ; the NOE spectra of target compounds 12a and 13a (Figures S11 and S12); tables with the results of the antiviral (Tables S1-S3) and the cytotoxic (Table S4) 

20 (CO), 169.55 (CO), 170.49 (CO)

pyridin-2-amine (10c) and N-benzyl-5,6-dichloro-1-(2 ,3 ,5 -tri-O-acetyl-α-d-ribofuranosyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2 -amine (11c): These derivatives were prepared by a procedure analogous to that described for 8a,9a,10a,11a, starting from imidazopyridine 7c (350 mg, 1.20mmol). Purification was effected by column chromatography, using a mixture of cyclohexane/EtOAc (70/30 to 20/80, v/v) as the eluent, to afford 8c, as a mixture with its corresponding α-anomer 9c (350 mg, 53% total yield for two anomers, 8c:9c (3-β:α) ratio 12:1, as estimated by 1 H-NMR), 10c (100 mg, crude) and 11c (40 mg, 6% yield). Fractions containing 10c were pooled and subjected to column chromatography eluted with CHCl 3 /MeOH (99.5/0.5, v/v), yielding 80 mg of pure 10c (12% yield). Data for 10c: Oil

HR-MS (ESI) m/z: Calcd for C 24 H 24 Cl 2 N 4 O 7 Na: [M + Na] + = 573.0914, found 573.0919. Data for 11c: Oil

,3 ,5 -tri-O-acetyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-amine (8d) and 5,6-dichloro-1-(2 ,3 ,5 -tri-O-acetyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-amine (10d): These derivatives were prepared by a procedure analogous to that described for 8a and 10a, starting from 7d (245 mg, 1.21 mmol). Purification was effected by column chromatography

CHCl 3 ). 1 H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 2.03 (s, 3H, CH 3 CO), 2.11 (s, 3H, CH 3 CO), 2.16 (s, 3H

65 (dd, 1H, H-5 , J 5 ,4 = 1.9 Hz, J 5 ,5 = 12.5 Hz), 5.39 (dd, 1H, H-3 , J 3 ,4 = 3.2 Hz, J 3 ,2 = 6.2 Hz), 5.47 (m, 1H, H-2 ), 5.89 (d, 1H, H-1 , J 1 ,2 = 7.5 Hz), 7.47 (br s, 2H, D 2 O exchangeable, NH 2 ), 7.52 (s, 1H, H-7). 13 C-NMR (151 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 20.36 (CH 3 CO), 20.65 (CH 3 CO)

β-d-ribofuranosyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-amine (12c): This compound was prepared by a procedure analogous to that described for 12a starting from 8c (130 mg, 0.23 mmol, containing also the corresponding α-anomer 9c). Purification was effected by column chromatography using a mixture of DCM/MeOH: 98/2 to 90/10 (v/v) to afford an anomeric mixture β/α, in a 12/1 ratio (80 mg). A second column chromatography was performed (DCM/MeOH: 97.5/2.5 to 90/10, v/v) and the fractions pooled (30 mg) were enriched in the desired β-anomer 12c (β/αratio: 17/1

MeOH). 1 H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 3.67 (br s

25 (t, 1H, D 2 O exchangeable, NH, J = 6.1 Hz). 13 C-NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 45

Purification was effected by column chromatography using a mixture of DCM/MeOH: 97/3 to 90/10 (v/v) as the eluent, to result in 12d (70 mg, 96% yield)

41 (m, 2H, CH 2 , overlapping with water of DMSO-d 6 ), 3.66 (dd, 1H, H-5 , J 5 ,4 = 2.0 Hz, J 5 ,5 = 11

6-Dichloro-N-isopropyl-1-(β-d-ribofuranosyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-amine (13b):This compound was prepared by a procedure analogous to that described for 12a starting from 10b (90 mg, 0.18 mmol). Purification was effected by column chromatography, using a mixture of DCM/MeOH: 97/3 to 88/12 (v/v) as the eluent, to afford 13b (65 mg, 96% yield)

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This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution

The authors are grateful to Leentje Persoons and Brecht Dirix for excellent technical assistance in the antiviral and antiproliferative assays.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.