The first synthesis of 4' ${\alpha}$-C aryl branched carbocyclic nucleosides

Recently, several branched-nucleosides have been synthesized and evaluated as potent antitumor or antiviral agents. Among them, 4'${\alpha}$--C-ethenyl and 4'${\alpha}$-C-ethynyl nucleosides which having an additional double or triple bond at 4'-position were reported to be as potent antiviral and anlitumor activities. Encouraged by these interesting structures and antiviral activities, it was determined to synthesize novel classes of nucleosides comprising branched carbocyclic nucleosides with an additional aryl group at 4'${\alpha}$-position using versatile reiterative three-step sequences from simple acyclic precursor '2-hydroxyacetophenone. Our efforts toward the synthesis of novel nucleosides analogues are reported herein.