Synthesis of 4-oxo-4,7-dihydrofuro[2,3- b]pyridine-5-carboxamides with broad-spectrum human herpesvirus polymerase inhibition

A new series of broad-spectrum herpesvirus polymerase inhibitors has been identified with antiviral activity against HCMV, HSV-1, EBV, and VZV. A practical synthesis of furo[2,3- b]pyridin-4-one-5-carboxylate esters is described. A versatile synthesis of 4-oxo-4,7-dihydrofuro[2,3- b]pyridine-5-carboxylate esters has been developed which has lead to the identification of a new series of non-nucleoside inhibitors of human herpesvirus polymerases HCMV, HSV-1, EBV, and VZV with high specificity compared to human DNA polymerases.