Synthesis and biological evaluation of conformationally restricted and nucleobase-modified analogs of the anticancer compound 3'-C-ethynylcytidine (ECyd).

A series of conformationally restricted and nucleobase-modified analogs of the anticancer compound 3′-C-ethynylcytidine (ECyd) and its uracil analog (EUrd) have been synthesized. While none of, the conformationally restricted analogs displayed anticancer activity, 5-iodo-EUrd and 5-bromo-EUrd displayed potent anticancer activity with IC50 values of 35 nM and 0.73 μM.