A novel acyclic nucleoside (4) that N1 of acyclovir (3) is replaced by oxygen atom was prepared. 5-Amino-1-[(2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl]-4-ethoxycarbonylimidazole (6a) was treated with ethoxycarbonyl isothiocyanate to give compound (7). Methylation of 7 with MeI afforded S-methylisothiourea derivative (8). Treatment of the latter with alkali followed by neutralization afforded 5-amino-3-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-3H-imidazo[4, 5-d][1, 3]oxazin-7-one (4).
Novel acyclicnucleosides 3a,b,c where N-1 of acyclovir is replaced by oxygen atom were prepared. Thus, 1-[(2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl]-5-amino-4-ethoxycarbonylimidazole (9) was treated with ethoxycarbonyl isothiocyanate or benzoyl isothiocyanate to give 11e,f. Methylation of the latter with methyl iodide afforded S-methylisothiourea derivative 12f which was treated with alkali and subsequently the mixture