ANTIVIRAL PURINE DERIVATIVES

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (wherein X is sulphur or oxygen or a chemical bond; R¹ is halogen, amino or azido; R² is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; R³ is hydrogen or alkyl; R⁴ is hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, benzyloxy, phosphate or carboxypropiony­ loxy; R⁵ is hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl) and salts and esters thereof, have been found to have valuable antiviral activity particularly against herpes viruses. Methods for the preparation of the above compounds are described as well as pharmaceutical formulations containing such com­ pounds.

Description: Antiviral Compounds The present invention relates to antiviral purine derivatives containing an acyclic chain in the 9-position. U.K. Patent Specification No. 1523865 describes a broad class of purine derivatives containing an acyclic side chain in the 9-position. These purine derivatives have been found to have antiviral activity against various classes of DNA viruses particularly against herpes viruses such as herpes simplex. Among these derivatives, 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine (otherwise known as acyclovir) has been found to have particularly good activity against herpes viruses such as herpes simplex. However, while acyclovir has been found to be especially effective upon topical or parenteral administration, it is only moderately well absorbed upon oral administration with corresponding levels of drug in the plasma. It will be appreciated that when one is treating an internal disorder by oral administration of a drug, it is clearly desirable that the drug should be well absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract with resulting high plasma levels. We have now made the surprising discovery that purine derivatives which are characterised by the presence of a hydrogen atom in the 6- position of the purine nucleus, can be readily converted in vivo by the action of enzymes of the molybdo-flavo-protein type (especially xanthine oxidaseldehydrogenase or aldehyde oxidase) into the corresponding 6-hydroxy purine derivatives having antiviral activity. Furthermore, from experiments in rats, we have found that oral administration of such 6-hydrogen derivatives results in efficient absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract and high plasma levels of the corresponding 6hydroxy compound, formed by enzymatic conversion of the 6-hydrogen compound. Also, for example, 6-deoxyacyclovir, i.e. 2-amino-9-(2hydroxyethoxymethyl) purine, the 6-hydrogen analogue of acyclovir, is also considerably more soluble in water than acyclovir, the former compound having a solubility of SOmg/ml and the latter having a solubility of 1.23mg/ml at 250C. This improved water-solubility enables 6-deoxyacyclovir to be used In a greater variety of aqueous pharmaceutical formulations which require some solubilisation of the drug. The above-mentioned class of 6-hydrogen purine derivatives may be represented by the general formula EMI2.1 wherein X is sulphur or oxygen or a chemical bond; R1 is halogen, amino or azido; R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; R3 is hydrogen or alkyl; R4 is hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, benzyloxy, phosphate or carboxypropionyloxy; R5 is hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; and esters of those compounds wherein R2 is hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl, R4 is hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or carboxypropionyloxy or R5 is hydroxyalkyl; and physiologically acceptable salts of such compounds of formula (I) and their esters. In the above formula, the alkyl groups, which may be straight chain or branched, generally contain 1 to 8, preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, e.g. methyl. A preferred class of compounds of formula (I) are those of formula EMI2.2 (wherein X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom and Y represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxymethyl group) and physiologically acceptable esters and salts thereof. Salts of the compounds of formula (I) which may be conveniently used in therapy include physiologically acceptable salts of organic acids such as lactic, acetic, malic or p-toluenesulphonic acid as well as physiologically acceptable salts of mineral acids such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid. Esters of the compounds of formula (I) which may be conveniently used in therapy include those containing a formyloxy or C1-16 (for example C1 6)alkanoyloxy (e.g. acetoxy or propionyloxy), optionally substituted aralkanoyloxy (e.g. phenyl-C1 4alkanoyloxy such as phenyl-acetoxy) or optionally substituted aroyloxy (e.g. benzoyloxy or naphthoyloxy) ester grouping at one or both of the terminal positions of the 9-side chain of the compounds of formula (I). The above-mentioned aralkanoyloxy and aroyloxy ester groups may be substituted, for example by one or more halogen (e.g. chlorine or bromine) atoms or amino, nitrile or sulphamido groups, the aryl moiety of the grouping advantageously containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The present invention also includes bioprecursors of the compounds of formula (I) and their physiologically acceptable salts and esters, I.e. compounds which are converted in vivo into compounds of formula (I) and their above-mentioned derivatives. Particularly preferred compounds of formula (I) include 2-amino-9-(2-hydroxy ethoxymethyl)-9H-purine and 2-amino 9-f(2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethoxy)methyll 9H-purine. 2-Amino-9-(2-benzoyloxyethoxymethyl) purine (i.e. the benzoate ester of the compound of formula (I) wherein X represents an oxygen atom and Y represents a hydrogen atom) is disclosed in U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,199,547 and no claim is made herein to this compound per se. However, there is no indication or suggestion in the said U.S. Specification that the compound can be converted in vivo into the corresponding 6-hydroxy analogue. The discovery that the 6-hydrogen purines above can be readily converted into their corresponding 6-hydroxy analogues is surprising since in previous studies with xanthine oxidase from bovine milk tHlLettre et al (1967) Biochem.Pharmacol., 16, 1747-1755; T.A. Krenitsky et al (1972) Arch. Biophys., 150, 585-599), it was shown that 9- substitution obliterates or greatly diminishes the rate at which a variety of purines are oxidised. In view of these observations, it was surprising to find that this enzyme oxidised for example 6deoxyacyclovir, a 9-substituted derivative of 2-aminopurine, at a faster rate than the 9-unsubstituted purine, as we have established from enzyme studies. The high level of absorption of the compounds of formula (I) from the gastrointestinal tract renders the compounds especially useful when oral administration of the compounds Is desired, e.g. in the treatment of diseases caused by various DNA viruses, such as herpes infections for example herpes simplex, varicella or zoster, cytomegalovirus as well as diseases caused by hepatitis B or Epstein-Barr virus. The compounds of formula (I) can also be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of papilloma or wart virus infections. In addition to their use in human medical therapy the compounds of formula (I) can be administered to other animals for the treatment or prophylaxis of viral diseases, e.g. in other mammals. For example, those compounds of formula (I) wherein Y represents a hydroxymethyl are especially useful for the treatment of equine rhinopneumonitis. By administration of a compound of formula (I) or physiologically acceptable salt or ester there.of, especially by the oral route, it is possible to achieve an advantageous effect against such disorders. According to a further feature of the present invention we provide compounds of formula (I) and physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of a viral disease in an animal, e.g. a mammal such as man. The present invention also provides a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a viral disease in an animal, e.g. a mammal such as man which comprises administering to the animal an effective antiviral amount of a compound of formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable ester or salt thereof. The compounds of formula (I) and the physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof (hereafter colllively referred to as the active ingredients) may be administered by any route appropriate to the condition to be treated, suitable routes including oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal and sublingual), vaginal and parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intradermal, intrathecal and epidural). It will be appreciated that the preferred route may vary with for example the condition of the recipient. For each of the above-indicated utilities and indications the amount required of an active ingredient (as above defined) will depend upon a number of factors including the severity of the condition to be treated and the identity of the recipient and will ultimately be at the discretion of the attendant physician or veterinarian. In general however, for each of these utilities and indications, a suitable, effective dose will be in the range 0.1 to 250mg per kilogram bodyweight of recipient per day, preferably In the range 1 to 100mg per kilogram bodyweight per day and most preferably in the range 5 to 20mg per kilogram bodyweight per day; an optimum dose is about 10mg per kilogram bodyweight per day. (Unless otherwise indicated all weights of active ingredient are calculated as the parent compound of formula (I): for salts and esters thereof the figures would be increased proportionately.) The desired dose is preferably presented as two, three, four or more sub-doses administered at appropriate Intervals throughout the day. These sub-doses may be administered in unit dosage forms, for example, containing 10 to 1000mg, preferably 20 to 500mg and most preferably 100 to 400mg of active ingredient per unit dosage form. While it is possible for the active ingredients to be administered alone it is preferable to present them as pharmaceutical formulations. The formulations, both for veterinary and for human use, of the present invention comprise at least one active ingredient, as above defined, together with one or more acceptable carriers therefor and optionally other therapeutic ingredients. The carrier(s) must be "acceptable" in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof. The formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal and sublingual), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intradermal, intrathecal and epidural) administration. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. Such methods include the step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product. Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient; as a powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid or a non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. The active Ingredient may also be presented as a bolus, electuary or paste. A tablet may be made by compression or moulding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredient In a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, surface active or dispersing agent. Moulded tablets may be made by moulding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets may optionally be coated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient therein. For infections of the eye or other external tissues e.g. mouth and skin, the formulations are preferably applied as a topical ointment or cream containing the active ingredient in an amount of, for example, 0.075 to 20% w/w, preferably 0.2 to 15% wlw and most preferably 0.5 to 10% w/w. When formulated in an ointment, the active ingredients may be employed with either a paraffinic or a water-miscible ointment base. Alternatively, the active ingredients may be formulated in a cream with an oil-in-water cream base. If desired, the aqueous phase of the cream base may include, for example, at least 30% w/w of a polyhydric alcohol, i.e. an alcohol having two or more hydroxyl groups such as propylene glycol, butane 1,3-diol, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol and polyethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. The topical formulations may desirably include a compound which enhances absorption or penetration of the active ingredient through the skin or other affected areas. Examples of such dermal penetration enhancers include dimethylsulphoxide and related analogues. The nilyphase nf the emulsions of this invention may be constituted from known ingredients in a known manner. While the phase may comprise merely an emulsifier (otherwise known as an emulgent), It desirably comprises a mixture of at least one emulsifier with a fat or an oil or with both a fat and an oil. Preferably, a hydrophilic emulsifier is included together with a lipophilic emulsifier which acts as a stabiliser. It is also preferred to include both an oil and a fat. Together, the emulsifier(s) with or without stabiliser(s) make up the so-called emulsifying wax, and the wax together with the oil and/fat make up the so-called emulsifying ointment base which forms the oily dispersed phase of the cream formulations. Emulgents and emulsion stablilsers suitable for use in the formulation of the present invention include Tween 60, Span 80, cetostearyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, glyceryl mono-stearate and sodium lauryl sulphate. The choice of suitable oils or fats for the formulation is based on achieving the desired cosmetic properties, since the solubility of the active compound in most oils likely to be used in pharmaceutical emulsion formulations is very low. Thus the cream should preferably be a non-greasy, non-staining and washable product with suitable consistency to avoid leakage from tubes or other containers. Straight or branched chain, mono- or dibasic alkyl esters such as di-Isoadipate, isocetyl sterate, propylene glycol diester of coconut fatty acids, isopropyl myristate, decyl oleate, isopropyl palmitate, butyl stearate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate or a blend of branched chain esters known as Crodamol CAP may be used, the last three being preferred esters. These may be used alone or in combination depending on the properties required. Alternatively, high melting point lipids such as white soft paraffin and/or liquid paraffin or other mineral oils can be used. Formulations suitable for topical administration to the eye also include eye drops wherein the active ingredient is dissolved or suspended in a suitable carrier, especially an aqueous solvent for the active ingredient. The active ingredient is preferably present in such formulations in a concentration of 0.5 to 20%, advantageously 0.5 to 10% particularly about 1.5% w/w. Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising the active ingredient in a flavoured basis, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an inert basis such as gelatin and glycerin, or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier. Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppository with a suitable base comprising for example cocoa butter or a salicylate. Formulations suitable for nasal administration wherein the carrier is a solid include a coarse powder having a particle size for example In the range 20 to 500 microns which is administered in the manner in which snuff is taken, I.e. by rapid inhalation through the nasal passage from a container of the powder held close up to the nose. Suitable formulations wherein the carrier is a liquid, for administration as for example a nasal spray or as nasal drops, include aqueous or oily solutions of the active ingredient. Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulations containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate. Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous and nonaqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous Injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets of the kind previously described. Preferred unit dosage formulations are those containing a daily dose or unit daily sub-dose, as herein above recited, or an appropriate fraction therof, of an active ingredient. It should be understood that in addition to the ingredients particularly mentioned above the formulations of this invention may include other agents conventional in the art having regard to the type of formulation in question, for example those suitable for oral administration may include flavouring agents. The present invention further provides veterinary compositions comprising at least one active ingredient as above defined together with a veterinary carrier therefor. Veterinary carriers are materials useful for the purpose of administering the composition and may be solid, liquid or gaseous materials which are otherwise inert or acceptable In the veterinary art and are compatible with the active ingredient. These veterinary compositions may be administered orally, parenterally or by any other desired route. For oral administration the compositions can be in the form of a tablet, granule, drench, paste, cachet, capsule or feed supplement. Granules may be made by the well known techniques of wet granulation, precompresslon or slugging. They can be administered to animals in an inert liquid vehicle so as to form a drench, or in a suspension with water or oil base. Preferably further accessory ingredients such as a dispensing agent are Included. These formulations preferably contain from 15 to 85% of the active ingredient. A paste may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient In a liquid. diluent. A stiffening or thickening agent may be included together with. a wetting agent or a humectant if the liquid diluent is water. If an emulsion paste is needed then one or more surface active agents should desirable in included. From 25 to 80% by weight of these paste formulations may comprise the active ingredient. In feed supplements the active ingredient is generally present in large amounts relative to the accessory ingredients, and the suplements may be added directly or after intermediate blending or dilution. Examples of accessory ingredients for such formulations include solid, orally ingestible carriers such as corn meal, soya flour, wheat shorts, soya grits, edible vegetable materials and fermentation residues. The active ingredient is usually incorporated in one or more of the accessory ingredients and intimately and uniformly dispersed by grinding, tumbling or stirring with conventional apparatus. Formulations containing 1 to 90% by weight of the active ingredient are suitable for adding to feeds. For the treatment of herpes infections in horses, an oral or parenteral dose of from 0.1 to 250mg per kg body weight per day, preferably from 2 to 100mg per kg per day may be required. The dose may be split up into discrete units administered at regular intervals during the day, and repeated daily for up to 14 days or until the infection is cleared. For viral infections in other animals the dose may vary depending on the size and metabolism of the animal. The compositions may be administered in unit dosage form, such as a tablet a few times daily in the amount of 10 to 1000mg per unit dose. The compounds of formula (I) and their physiologically acceptable salts and esters may be prepared in conventional manner by analogous processes for preparing compounds of similar structure, such as those methods described in U.K. Patent Specification No. 1523865. The present invention further provides, in particular, a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) and physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof which comprises:a) deblocking a compound of formula EMI10.1 (wherein X and R3 are as defined above and Ra represents an amino or blocked R2 and R4 amino group; a and R4, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl group or a blocked hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl group, R5a represents a hydroxyalkyl or blocked hydroxyalkyl group, providing at least one of R1, R2, R4 and R5 represents a blocked group); a a a a b) converting a compound of formula EMI10.2 (wherein X, R2, R31 R4 and R5 are as defined above, M represents a hydrogen atom or a group or atom convertible into a hydrogen atom and G represents a group or atom convertible into an amino group or (when M Is other than a hydrogen atom) G may alternatively represent an amino group) or a salt or ester thereof into a compound of formula (I) (wherein R represents an amino group) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof; ; c) reacting a compound of formula EMI11.1 (wherein Q represents a leaving atom or group) with a compound of formula EMI11.2 (wherein X, R2, R and R5 are as defined above and A represents a leaving group or atom and B represents an optionally protected hydroxy group); d) closing a ring In a precursor compound having either the pyrimidine or imidazole ring incompletely formed; e) reducing a compound of formula EMI11.3 (wherein X, R1, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined above) or a salt or ester thereof to form a compound of formula (I) (wherein Y represents a hydroxymethyl group) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof; f) converting a compound of formula EMI12.1 (wherein X, R1, R2, R3 and R5 are as defined above) into a corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein R4 represents a hydroxy group. to form a compound of formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, and optionally effecting one or more of the following conversions, in any desired sequence:i) where the resulting product is a base, converting the said base into a physiologically acceptable acid addition salt thereof; ii) where the resulting product is an acid additon salt, converting the said salt into the parent base; iii) where the resulting product is a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof converting the said compound or salt thereof into a physiologically acceptable ester of the said compound or salt; and/or iv) where the resulting product is an ester of a compound of formula (I) coriverting the said ester into the parent compound of formula (I), a physiologically acceptable salt thereof or a different physiologically acceptable ester thereof. In method a) the blocking groups may be selected, as appropriate, for example from acyl groups such as C1 4alkanoyl groups e.g. acetyl or pivaloyl, or aroyl groups, e.g. benzoyl; arylmethyl groups e.g. benzyl; or tri-C,qalkylsilyl e.g. trimethylsilyl. Arylmethyl blocking groups, may be removed for example by hydrogenolysis, e.g. by hydrogenation in the presence of Raney nickel or palladium catalyst or by the use of sodium in liquid ammonia. Acyl blocking groups may be removed for example by hydrolysis using for example an amine such as methylamine or triethylamine, advantageously In an aqueous medium. Trialkylsilyl blocking groups may be removed for example by solvolysis e.g. with alcoholic or aqueous ammonia, or by alcoholysis. Alternatively, when R2a represents a blocked hydroxymethyl group and R4 represents a blocked hydroxy group, the blocking may be effected by a common grouping, i.e. as in a compound of formula. EMI13.1 (wherein, X, R1 and R5 are as defined above). Deblocking may be effected, for example, by hydrolysis e.g. under basic conditions, preferably by treatment with an organic amine such as methylamine or triethylamine. Conversion of a compound of formula (III) into a compound of formula (I), by method b), can be achieved by various conventional means. For example G may represent an azide group which can be reduced to an amino group by catalytic hydrogenation using a suitable catalyst such as palladium. Alternatively, G may represent a halogen atom or an alkylthio or alkylsulphonyl group which can be converted to an amino group by aminolysis using for example ammonia. M may represent a halogen e.g. chlorine, atom or a mercapto or thio (S < ) group which can be converted into a hydrogen atom in conventional manner. In the case where M represents a thio group, this conversion may be effected using a compound of formula (11) in which any amino or hydroxyl groups are optionally blocked by acyl groups, the conversion being effected using a Raney nickel catalyst, e.g in a basic medium which additionally removes the amino and/or hydroxy blocking groups in accordance with process a). These processes together with other conventional processes are described in Fused Pyrimidines, Part 11, Purines Ed. by D. J. Brown (1971), Wlley-Intrescience. In process (c), the group Q in formula (lav) may for example represent a hydrogen atom; an acyl group, e.g. a C1 4alkanoyl group such as an acetyl group or an aroyl group such as a benzoyl group; or a tri-C1 4alkylsilyl group such as a trimethylsilyl group. The group A in formula (VI) may for example represent a halogen atom (e.g. chlorine) or an acyloxy group wherein the acyl moiety may be for example a C1 4alkanoyl group such as acetyl, or an aroyl group such as benzoyl. The reaction may be conveniently effected in a strong polar solvent such as dimethylformamide or hexamethylphosphoramide, advantageously in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or potassium carbonate. Alternatively, a thermal condensation may be effected by heating the compounds of formulae (IV) and (V) in the presence of a catalytic amount of a strong acid, e.g. sulphuric acid. Process d) involves the ring closure of either the imidazole or pyrimidine ring to give the final product. In the case of the imidazole ring this may be achieved by reaction of an appropriate percursor with a C1 reagent, such as triethylorthoformate, under for example mildly acidic conditions, at a temperature of about 250C, for several hours. A suitable precursor is substituted pyrimidine of formula (VI) EMI14.1 An alternative reagent is diethoxymethyl acetate, when neutral conditions at about 1000C for about 10-15 minutes are preferred. Reduction of a compound of formula CIV) in process (e) may be achieved for example by reaction with an appropriate aldehyde reducing agent such as sodium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride, tetraethylammonium borohydride or pyridine/diborane/tetrahydrofuran/trifluoroacetic acid. In process f) the conversion is advantageously effected by treatment of the amino compound of formula (VII) with a nitrite, e.g. sodium nitrite, in an acidic medium. The starting materials employed In the processes described above may be prepared in conventional manner, e.g. in accordance with the processes described in the above-mentioned UK Patent Specification 1523865. The following Examples illustrate the present invention Example 1 2-Amino-9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-9H-purine A mixture of 2.489 (7.13mM) of 2-amino-6-chloro-9-(2-benzoyloxyethoxyme purine, 250ml of absolute ethanol, 1.9ml of triethylamine and 0.6g of 5% palladium on charcoal was shaken under hydrogen at an initial pressure of 50 p.s.i at room temperature for twenty hours. The mixture was filtered, 0.265g of fresh palladium catalyst and 1.9ml of triethylamine were added and the mixture shaken under hydrogen for an additional 16 hours. The ethanolic solution, after filtration through a pad of Celite was evaporated in vacuo, and the resulting white solid extracted with boiling benzene several times. The benzene extracts were curtentratd, mmined with 20ml of 40% aqueous methylamine and 20ml of methanol and allowed to evaporate in an open flask on a steam bath to dryness. The resulting mixture was triturated with ether to remove the N-methylbenzamide and then recrystallised from 100% ethanol to yield 2-amino-9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-9H-purine as analytically plire white granules, m.p. = 186-187.50C. Example 2 2-Amino-9-(2-hydroxyethyl thiomethvl)-9H-urine A 1 litre round bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar and a CaC12 drying tube was charged with 5.09 (29.50mM) 2-amino-6-chloro-purine, 6.89 (29.50mM) 2-(chloromethylthio)ethyl benzoate, 4.079 (29.50mM) potassium carbonate and 750ml of anhydrous dimethyl formamide. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours after which time another 2.09 (8.7mM) of 2 (chloromethylthio)ethyl benzoate with 1.29 (8.7mM) potassium carbonate were added and stirring continued for an additional 24 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then filtered through a pad of Celite in a sintered glass funnel and rotary evaporated in vacuo to a viscous yellow oil. The oil was adsorbed on to 20.09 of Merck silica gel 60 (70-230 mesh) and this preadsorbed phase applied to the top of a column of Merck silica gel 60 (230-400 mesh). Elution of the column using 6:4 ethyl acetate-benzene provided 2-amino9-(2-benzoyloxyethylthiomethyl)-6-chloro-9H-purine as an off-white solid as a single material by TLC on silica gel 8:2 ethyl acetate-hexane. 'H NMR,CDC13 8.0-7.15 , 6H, multiplet; 5.1 , 4H, broad singlet; 4.5 , 2H, triplet 2.985, 2H triplet. The last-mentioned product (0.989 2.70mM) was placed into a 500ml Parr hydrogenator bottle together with 2.59 Pd(OH)2 catalyst, 50ml triethylamine and 200ml of methanol. This was shaken in a Parr hydrogenator under 50 p.s.i. hydrogen for 16 hours at room temperature. TLC of the hydrogenolysis product on silica gel with 8% methanol - ethyl acetate showed only partial reaction. The catalyst was removed by filtiration through a pad of Celite in a sintered glass funnel, 2.09 of fresh Pd(OH)2 catalyst and 7.0ml triethylamine were added and the reaction mixture again shaken under 50 p.s.I. hydrogen for 20 hours. At this point t.l.c. showed the reaction to be complete, the catalyst was removed as before and the methanol removed by rotary evaporation in vacuo to give a clear glass, which was taken up into 100ml of 1:1 methanol-water containing 20% methylamine. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours and removed by rotary evaporation in vacuo to give an amorphous solid. The solid was adsorbed on to 10.09 of 70-230 mesh Merck silica gel 60 and this preadsorbed phase applied to the top of a column of 230-400 mesh Merck silica gel 60. Elution of the column using 10% methanol ethyl acetate provided a solid that crystallised from ethyl acetate-hexane to give the title compound In the form of needles, mp. 122-124 C, t.l.c. : 1 spot on silica gel with 15% methanol : ethyl acetate 'H NMR dmso-d6 8.59 , 1H singlet; 8.15 , 1H singlet; 6.56 , 2H broad singlet; 5.24 , 2H singlet; 4.83 , 1H triplet; 3.49 , 2H multiplet; 2.69 2H, multiplet; Anal. Theory C : 42.65 H4.92, N : 31.09 found C : 42.70, H : 4.94, N : 31.04. Example 3 a) 2-Amino-9-E(2-benzovloxy-1-benzovloxymethviethoxv)methv6-chloro-9H- urine A mixture of 7.09 (41.2mM) of 2-amino-6-chloro-9H-purine, 4.559 (34.4mM) of ammonium sulfate, and 200ml hexamethyldisilazane were combined under nitrogen and refluxed with stirring for five hours. The mixture was flash evaporated, followed by the addition of 8.89 (23.6mM) of 2-0-(acetylmethyl)1,3-bis-(0-benzoyl)glycerol in about lOmi benzene. The mixture was heated for 1.5 hours in an oil bath and under aspirator pressure with a distilling head hookup. Then the mixture was cooled to room temperature. Methanol was added to the mixture which was placed over a steam bath for 30 minutes. The mixture was then washed with water and extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate and the organic layer dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate for about 30 minutes. The mixture was then filtered, the salt washed with ethyl acetate and then flash evaporated. Flash column chromatography with 6:1 CH2C12/acetone eluent yielded the title compound as an analytieally pure white solid with a mpt of 130 131 . b) 2-Amino-9-t(2-benzoYloxv-1-benzovloxYmethvlethoxY)methYll-9H-purine A mixture of 3.3939 (7.04my) of 2-amino-9-/(2-benzoyloxy-1 benzoyloxymethyllethoxy)methyl/-6-chloro-9H-purine, 100ml ethanol, 100ml tetrahydrofuran, 1.9ml triethylamine was added to 0.6009 Pd-C catalyst in a Parr bottle. The mixture was shaken under hydrogen for 24 hours. The Pd-C was filtered through a Celite pad and 0.6509 fresh Pd-C was added to the reaction mixture and the hydrogenation was continued for 4 days. Column chromatography using 100% CH2C12, 4:1 CH2C12/acetone, and 100% acetone provided the title compound, mpt. 132-1330C. Example 4 2-Amino-9-F(2-hvdroxy-1-hvdroxym ethvlethoxv)methyii-9H- ourine A mixture of 0.8449 (1.88mM) of 2-amino-9-[(2-benzoyloxyl-benzoyloxymethyl ethoxy)methyl3-9H- purine and lOOmi of a 40% aqueous methylamine solution was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was flash evaporated to a yellow oil which was then washed with water. The aqueous layer was then extracted twice with methylene chloride. The aqueous layer containing the product was then flash evaporated to a light yellow oil. Recrystallisation of the oil in hot acetonitrile yielded the title compound as an analytically pure ivory solid mpt. 148-151 . Example 5 9- (2-Acetoxyethoxymethyl)-2-amino- 9H-purine A mixture of 0.829 (3.92mM) of 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-2-amino-9H-purine, 48mg (0.392mM) of 4-dimethylaminopyridine and 0.75ml (7.84mM) of acetic anhydride in 18ml of dry dimethylformamide was stirred at room temperature for two days. The reaction mixture was evaporated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate and absorbed on silica gel. The solvent was removed - by flash evaporation and the residual powder added to a column prepared for flash chromatography. Elution with 5% methanol in dichloromethane gave 1.09 of a semicrystalline oil which on recrystallization from benzene-hexane gave analytically pure 9-(2-acetoxyethoxymethyl)-2-amino-9H-purine, mpt = 115-118QC. Example 6 2-Amino-9-f(2-acetoxv- 1-acetoxvmethylethoxy)methyl]-9H-purine A mixture of 0.459 (1.88mM) of 2-amino-94(2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylet hoxy)methyll¯9H-purine, 1.159 (11.30mM) of acetic anhydride and 23mg (0.188mM) of 4-dimethylaminopyridine in lOml of dry dimethylformamide was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The solution was evaporated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in methanol and preabsorbed on silica gel. The solvent was evaporated off in vacuo and the powder added to a column prepared for flash chromatography. Elution with 10% methanol in dichloromethane yielded on evaporation the title compound. Recrystallization from ethyl acetate-hexane gave analytically pure 2-amino-9-{(2-acetoxy-1-acetoxymethylethoxy)methyll- 9H-purine. Example 7 9-(2-Acetoxyethylthiomethvl)-2-amino-9H-purine A 100ml flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar and a CaC12 drying tube was charged with 1.09 (4.4mM) 2-amino-9-(2-hydroxyethylthiomethyl)-9H- purine, 0.0549 (0.44mM) 4-dimethylaminopyridine, 0.9ml (8.8mM) acetic anhydride, and 20ml of dry DMF. The solution was stirred for 24 hrs at room tempreature and then quenched with 5ml of MeOH. The solution was evaporated in vacuo (bath temp 400C) and the brown oil so obtained chromatographed using the "flash" method. Elution of the column with 1.5% methanol in ethyl acetate provided of a yellow oil which crystallized on standing. The light yellow crystals were dissolved in a solution of 2% MeOH in toluene and treated with 0.059 Darco G-6û. The methanol was evaporated from the toluene solution resulting in the precipitation of light yellow crystals. The product was dried for 16 hrs at 780C to yield the title compound mp = 119-120.50C. Anal. Calcd. for C1yHl3N5025: C, 44.93; H, 4.9; N, 26.20. Found: C,44.97, H, 4.96; N, 26.17. H NMR in DMSO6 8.59 (1HS), 8.15 (1Hs), 6.52 (2H broad s) 5.26 (2Hs), 4.15 (2Ht J = 6.36 Hz), 2.89 (2Ht J = 6.36 Hz), 1.99 (3Hs). Example 8 2-Amino-9-(2-benzovloxvethylthiomethvl)-9H-purine A 5- litre, 3-neck flask was equipped with an air-stirring motor, glass stirring rod with teflon paddle, and provision made for evacuating and filling the flask with either N2 or H2 gas. The flask was then charged with 7.0 g (0.019 M) of 2-amino-9-(2-benzoyloxyethylthiomethyl)-6-chloro-91q-purine, 14.0 g palladium hydroxide on carbon, 12.0 ml (0.163 M) triethylamine, 75.0 ml water and 3.0 litres of methanol. The flask was then sealed and evacuated using a water aspirates, flooded with N2 gas, evacuated until 3 complete cycles were completed. The flask was evacuated, flooded with H2 gas, evacuated and refilled with H2 gas. The stirring motor was started and the reaction was stirred under H2 for 4 days at room temperature. The solution was filtered through a sintered glass funnel and the catalyst washed with 800 ml of methanol. The methanol solution was evaporated in vacuo to give 6.0 g of a light yellow solid. The solid was absorbed to 18.0 g of 70-230 mesh silica gel 60 and this presorbed phase applied to the top of a column of 230-400 mesh silica gel 60. Elution of the column by the "Flash" method using 5% methanol in ethyl acetate provided a white solid which was recrystallized from ethyl acetate-hexane, dried at 780 C under 1.0 mm Hg vacuum to white flakes mp 120-1210C, H NMR in dmso d6 8.60 (1 H,s), 8.19 (1 H,s), 8.0 7.5 (5 H,m), 6.55 (2 H,s) 5.32 (2 H,s), 4.52 (2 H, t), 3.06 (2 H, t) Anal. theory C: 54.69, H: 4.59, N: 21.26 Anal. found C: 54.68, H: 4.64, N: 21.24. 2-Amino- 9-(2- hydroxyethylthi omethyl)-9H-purine was obtained by continued elution of the above column. Example 9 a) 2-Acetamido-9-acet yl-6-mercapto-9H-purine A mixture of thioguanine (54.0 g), acetic anhydride (250 ml) and p-toluene sulfonic acid (2.0 g) was heated at reflux overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled and the resulting solid removed by filtration and thoroughly washed with acetone to give 2-acetsmi do-9-acetyl-6-mercapto-9H-purine (62.3 g) as a brown solid, nmr spectrum was consistent with the assigned structure. b) 2-Acetamido-9-(2-acetoxvetho xvmethvl)-6-mercepto-9H-purine To a mixture of 2-acetamido-9-acetyl-6-mercapto-9H-purine (30.0 g) and ptoluenesulfonic acid (2.0 g) In toluene (150 ml) was added dropwise over 4 hours at 90-950C 2-oxa-1,4-butanediol diacetate (40.0 g). After 10 hours the reaction mixture was cooled, and the resulting solid removed by filtration and washed with acetone. It was recrystallised from dimethylformamide/acetonitrile (1/1) with decolourisation using activated charcoal to give 2-ecetamido-9-(2-acetoxy- ethoxymethyl > 6-mercapto-9H-purine (25.6 g), m.p. 205-2060C as a yellow solid. c) 2-Amino-9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-9H-purine 2-Acetamido-9-(2-acetoxyethoxymethyl)-6-mercapto-9H-purine (0.50 g, 1.53 mmole), freshly prepared W-2 Raney Nickel (2 g) and 58% ammonium hydroxide (25 ml) were heated at reflux for 2 hours. The catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate concentrated to 5 ml. Acetone (20 ml) was added and the resultant precipitate was filtered and dried to give 0.21 g (65%) of white solid, m.p. 188-189 , consistent by TLC and NMR with an authentic sample. The following Examples, 10 to 13, illustrate pharmaceutical formulations according to the invention where the active compound is a compound of formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, specifically 2-amino-9 (2-hydroxyatho xym ethyl)-9H-purine or 2-amino-9-r(2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethoxy) methyll-9H-purine. Example 10 a) 9-(2-Phthalimidoethoxymethyl)-2-aminopurine A mixture of 1.35 g (10.0 mM) of 2-aminopurine and 0.44 g (11.0 mM) of 60% sodium hydride-oil dispersion in 50 ml of dry dimethylforamide was stirred at room temperature for 35 minutes. To the mixture was added 2.63 g (11.0 mM) of 2-phthalimidoethoxymethyl chloride and the stirring continued at room temperature for five hours. An additional 156 mg (3.9 mM) of sodium-hydride dispersion and 0.94 g (3.9 mM) of 2-phthalimidoethoxylmethylchloride were added and the reaction mixture stirred at room temperature for 20 hr. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo and the residue partitioned between chloroform and water. The aqueous phase was extracted twice more with chloroform and the combined chloroform extracts washed with water and dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the dried extracts and chromatography on silica gel, gave on elution with 1096 methanol In dichloromethane, 1.7 g of 9-(2phthalimidoethoxymethyl)-2-aminopurine. b) 9-(2-Aminoethoxymethyl)-2-aminopurine A mixture of 5.0 g (14.7 mM) of 9-(2-phthalimidoethoxymethyl)-2-aminopurine, 500 ml of ethanol and 15 ml of hydrazine (95%) was refluxed with stirring for four hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated in vacuo and evaporated twice more with ethanol. The solids were stirred for thirty minutes with 200 ml of 5% aqueous acetic acid then the solution was evaporated in vacuo to dryness. Two recrystallisations, once from ethanol-ether and once from ethanol gave analytically pure 9-(2-aminoethoxymethyl).2-aminopurine as the diacetate. Treatment of an aqueous solution of the product with strong OH resin gave the free base, 1.5 g on evaporation. c) 2-Amino-9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-9H-purine To a chilled (OOC) solution of 1.0 g (4.8 mM) of 9-(2-aminoethoxymethyl)-2 aminopurine in 25 ml of 0.2 N HCI and 25 ml ethanol were added 0.335 g (4.86 mM) of sodium nitrite in portions over a period of 45 minutes. The mixture was stirred to OOC for 18 hr. The reaction mixture was evaporated in vacuo (bath temp. < 30 C) and the residue dissolved in methanol and absorbed on silica gel. The solvent was evaporated off and the powder added to a column prepared for flash chromatography E1ll1an with 10% methanol in dichloromethane gave on evaporation, the desired 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-2-aminopurine. Recrystallisation from ethanol gave analytically pure product. Example 11 Tablet Active compound 200mg Lactose 235mg Starch 50mg Polyvinylpyrrolidone 50mg Magnesium stearate 5mg 5DOmg Mix the active compound with the lactose and starch and wet granulate with a solution of the polyvinylpyuolidone. Dry, sift, blend the granules with magnesium stearate and compress. Example 12 Capsule Active compound 200mg Lactose 184mg Sodium starch glycollate . 8mg Polyvinylpyrrolidone 6mg Magnesium stearate 2mg Mix the active compound with the lactose and sodium starch glycollate and wet granulate with a solution of the polyvinylpyrrolidone. Dry, sift, blend the granules with the magnesium stearate and fill into hard gelatin capsules. Example 13 Cream Active compound 5.o09 Glycerol 2.009 Cetostearyl alcohol 6.759 Sodium lauryl sulphate fl.75g White soft paraffin 12.509 Liquid paraffin 5.009 Chlorocresol 0.109 Purified water to 100.009 Dissolve the active compound in a mixture of purified water and glycerol and heat to 700C. Heat the remaining ingredients together at 700C. Add the two parts together and emulsify. Cool and fill into containers. Example 14 Intravenous Injections A) Active compound 200mg Sodium hydroxide solution q.8. to pH 7.0 to 7.5 Water for injections to 5.0 ml Dissolve the active compound in part of the water for injections. Adjust the pH with the sodium hydroxide solution and make up to volume with additional water for injections. Under aseptic conditions, sterilise the solution by filtration, fill into sterile ampoules and seal the ampoules. B) Active compound 100mg Sodium hydroxide solution q.s. to pH 7.0 to 7.5 Mannitol 125mg Water for Injections to 2. 5ml Dissolve the active compound and mannitol in part of the water for injections. Adjust the pH with the sodium hydroxide solution and make up to volume with additional water for injections. Under aseptic conditions, sterilise the solution by filtration, fill into sterile vials and remove the water by freeze-drying. Seal the vials under an atmosphere of nitrogen and close with a sterile stopper and aluminium collar. Bioloqical Activity The following experiments were carried out to determine the urinary excretion and plasma levels of acyclovir after oral dosing of rats with acyclovir, 6deoxyacyclovir and the 6-amino analogue thereof i.e. 2,6-diamino-9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-purine, hereinafter referred to as aminoacyclovir. The latter compound is a prodrug of acyclovir (Good S]S] and de Miranda P., Fed. Proc. (1982), 41, 1733) which depends on adenosine deaminase for conversion to acyclovir in vivo. Procedure Long Evans male rats were dosed by intragastric needle with the drug and placed in metabolic cages which separated urine from feces. The collected urine and plasma samples were analyzed for acyclovir content by a radioimmunoassay (Quinn et al, 1979). It was demonstrated that neither aminoacyclovir nor 6deoxyacyclovir cross reacted with the antisera used in the assay. Results The results are given below in Tables I and II Table I The urinary excretion of acyclovir after oral dosing of rats with acyclovir, aminoacyclovir and 6-deoxyacyclovir Dose Urine % Dose Excreted as Acyclovir (No. of Animals) mg/kg Samples Acyclovir Aminoacyclovir 6-Deoxyacyclovir 5 0-24hr - 24.7(2) 67.0(1) 24-48hr - 0.4(2) 0.2(1) 20 0-24hr - 24.8(2) 69.1(1) 24-48hr - 0.3(2) 0.3(1) 25 0-48hr 19.2(4) Table 11 A comparison of the plasma levels of acyclovir achieved after oral dosing of rats with deoxyacyclovir and with aminoacyclovir Hr after a pM Acyclovir Concentrations in Plasma 20 mg/kg dose Aminoacyclovir 6-Deoxyacyclovir Rat 1 Rat 2 Rat 3 0.5 2.75 30 1 3.03 16.6 18.6 2 2.48 4.96 17.5 4 0.93 1.00 6.7 6 0.34 0.41 4.06 20 0.1 0.01 0.25 Toxicitv Studv Two male and 2 female Beagle dogs were given 6-deoxyacyclovir per os (once daily for 5 consecutive days) at a dose level of 40 mg/kg/day. There were-no effects in 1 male and 1 female sacrificed at the end of the treatment period or in 1 male and 1 female sacrificed after a 2 week post-dose period. Antiviral Activity a) 70 CDI mice were infected with 300 LD50 of the ICI strain of herpes simplex virus Type 1 administered in a dose of 0.025 ml intracerebrally. The mice were divided into groups of 10, one group acting as untreated virus controls and the other groups receiving respectively (A) acyclovir at 100 mg/kg/dose (i) subcutaneously (s.c.) (ii) orally (iii) intraperitoneally (i.p). (B) the compound of Example 1 (6-deoxyacyclovir) at 100 mg/kg/dose i) subcutaneously (s.c.) ii) orally iii) intraperitionally (i.p). The treatment groups received dosages of the drug 2-3 hours after infection and twice daily for 4t days. Observations were made over 14 days and survival times were recorded. The results are shown below: RESULTS TREATMENT SURVIVAL TIMES MEAN RECIPROCAL GROUP (days) SURVIVAL TIMES Virus Controls 4+2 1+2t 5+3 0.407 Acyclovir (s.c.) 3+3 4+4 2+4t 1+6 0.261 6-Deoxyacyclovir (s.c.) 1+2 3+3 1+4 2+4+ 2+5 0.289 Acyclovir (oral) 2+2 3+3 5+4 0.325 6-Deoxyacyclovir (oral) 1+2t 1+4 2+5 3+6 1+8 0.186 1 survivor Acyclovir (i.p.) 2+2 2+4 2+5 2+7 0.242 1 survivor 6-Deoxyacyclovir (i.p.) 1+2t 2+3 1+4 1+4t 4+6 1+8 0.233 The above results demonstrate that 6-deoxyacyclovir has a more effective action than acyclovir when administered orally. b) 40 CDI mice were infected and treated as previously described in a). The mice were divided into 4 groups of 10, 1 group was not treated to act as virus controls. Treatment group 1 received 100 mg/kg/dose of the compound of Example 4, treatment group 2 received 100mg/kg/dose of the compound of Example 3b and treatment group 3 received 100 mg/kg/dose of acyclovir to act as a positive control all drugs were administered by the subcutaneous route. Survival tires were recorded for 14 days and were compared as shown in the following table. RESULTS TREATMENT SURVIVAL TIMES MEAN RECIPROCAL GROUP (days) SURVIVAL TIMES Virus Control 1+2 4+2+ 4+3 1+4 0.37 Group 1 1+9 1+10 8 survivors 0.02 Group 2 1+4 2+4t 3+5 1+7 1+8 1+9 1 survivor 0.17 Group 3 1+2t 1+31+3t 1+4 2+5 2+6 1+13 1 surVivor 0.21

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Compounds of the general formula EMI29.1 wherein X is sulphur or oxygen or a chemical bond; R1 is halogen, amino or azido; R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; R3 is hydrogen or alkyl; is is hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, benxzyloxy, phosphate or carboxypropionyloxy; R5 is hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; and physiologically acceptable esters of those compounds wherein R2 Is hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl, R4 is hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl or carboxypropionyloxy or R5 is hydroxyalkyl; and physiologically acceptable salts of such compounds of formula (l) and their esters. 2. Compounds as claimed in claim 1 wherein X represents an oxygen atom, R1 represents an amino group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxymethyl group, R represents a hydrogen atom, R4 represents a hydroxy group and R5 represents a hydrogen atom; and physiologically acceptable esters and salts thereof. 3. Compounds as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in the form of their acetate or benzoate esters. 4. 2-Amino-9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-9H-purine and physiologically acceptable esters and salts thereof. 5. 2-Amino-9-E(2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethoxy)methylu-9H-purine and physiologically acceptable esters and salts thereof. 6. 2-Amino-9-r(2-benzoyloxy-l-benzoyloxymethylethoxy)methyll-sH-purine and physiologically acceptable salts thereof. 7. A process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) (as defined in claim 1) and physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof which comprises: a) deblocking a compound of formula EMI30.1 (wherein X and R3 are as defined in claim 1; R1 represents an amino or blocked amino group; R2 amd R4, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl group or a blocked hydroxy or 5 hydroxyalkyl group, Ra represents a hydroxyalkyl or blocked hydroxyalkyl group, providing at least one of Ral, Ra2, 4 and group); b) converting a compound of formula EMI30.2 (wherein X, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in claim 1, M represents a hydrogen atom or a group or atom convertible into a hydrogen atom and G represents a group or atom convertible into an amino group or (when M is other than a hydrogen atom) C may alternatively represent an amino group) or a salt or ester thereof, into a compound of formula (I) (wherein R1 represents an amino group) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof; c) reacting a compound of formula EMI30.3 (wherein R2 is as defined in claim 1 and Q represents a leaving atom or group) with a compound of formula EMI31.1 (wherein X, R2, R3 and R5 are as defined in claim 1 and A represents a leaving group or atom and B represents an optionally protected hydroxy group); d) closing a ring in a precursor compound having either the pyrimidine or imidazole ring incompletely formed; e) reducing a compound of formula EMI31.2 (wherein X, R1, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in claim 1) or a salt or ester thereof to form a compound of formula (I) (wherein Y represents a hydroxymethyl group) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof; f) converting a compound of formula EMI31.3 (wherein X, R1, R2, R3 and R5 are as defined above) into a corresponding compound of formula (I) wherein R4 represents a hydroxy group. to form a compound of formula (l) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, and optionally effecting one or more of the following conversions, in any desired sequence: i) where the resulting product is a base, converting the said base into a physiologically acceptable acid addition salt thereof; ii) where the resulting product is an acid addition salt, converting the said salt into the parent base; iii) where the resulting product is a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof converting the said compound or salt thereof into a physiologically acceptable ester of the said compound or salt; and/or iv) where the resulting product is an ester of a compound of formula (I) converting eht said estrer into the parent compound of formula (I), a physiologically acceptable salt thereof or a different physiologically acceptable ester thereof. 8. A process as claimed in claim 7a) which comprises deblocking a compound of formula EMI32.1 (wherein X, R1 and R5 are as defined in claim 1) to form a compound of formula (I) wherein R2 represents a hydroxyalkyl group R3 represents a hydrogen atom, and R4 represents a hydroxy group. 9. Pharmaceutical formulations comprising at least one compound as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers therefor. 10. Compounds as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of a viral disease in an animal.

Inventors: BEAUCHAMP, LILIA MARIE, KRENITSKY, THOMAS ANTHONY, SCHAEFFER, HOWARD JOHN
Applicants: THE WELLCOME FOUNDATION LIMITED
Application year: 1983
Main classification: C07D473
IPC codes: C07D473