Alkenyl substituted bicyclic nucleoside analogues retain nanomolar potency against Varicella Zoster Virus

Novel alkenyl substituted aryl bicyclic furano pyrimidines have been prepared and evaluated in vitro against Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). The para-substituted analogues retain the nanomolar potency we have reported for p-alkyl analogues, while the ortho- and meta-alkenyl systems lose 3–4 orders of potency.