Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel 6-Deoxy-β -D-Psicofuranosyl Mercaptoheterocyclic Compounds

We report herein the synthesis of a series of eight novel compounds based on the coupling of 6-mercaptopurine (4), 2-mercaptopyrimidine (5), 4-mercaptopyridine (6) and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (7) with 6-deoxy-6-iodo-1,2:3,4-di- O-isopropylidene-γ-D-psicofuranose and subsequent deprotection. The compounds were evaluated in vitro for activity against Leishmania amazonensis and L. chagasi promastigotes and for cytotoxic activity against Kb and Vero cells.