2'-Deoxy-methanocarba nucleosides are a class of compounds with important antiviral and antitumor activities. (N)-2'-deoxymethanocarbathymidine, (N)-MCT, is known as active and specific agent against herpes simplex viruses (HSV1 and 2) and Kaposi's sarcoma- associated herpes virus (KSHV). Some analogues such MRS2500 and MRS2279 have potent antithrombotic therapeutic effect due to their interactions with the purinergic P2Y1 receptors as antagonists, which have led to the new drug concepts. In the present review for the first time is provided a whole overview of the reported several synthetic approaches to the different analogues of 2'-deoxymethanocarba nucleosides as well as their biological activity.
Keywords: (N)-MCT, total synthesis, conformationally restricted nucleosides, antiviral, antitumor activities