Organocatalysis in the Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazoyl-zidovudine Derivatives: Synthesis and Preliminary Antioxidant Activity

We describe herein the organocatalyzed synthesis and preliminary results of antioxidant activities of a range of 1,2,3-triazoyl-zidovudine derivatives. These hybrid compounds were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields by reacting zidovudine1with a variety of functionalized keto compounds2, such as beta-keto-esters, beta-diketones, beta-keto-amides, alpha-keto-nitriles, and beta-keto-sulfones, in the presence of a catalytic amount of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) (10 mol %). Furthermore, the synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antioxidant activity. Compounds3 a,3 d,3 g, and3 linhibited the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice with similar potency and efficacy.