1,2-dideoxyribofuranose

Description

## 1,2-Dideoxyribofuranose: A Building Block for Important Molecules

1,2-Dideoxyribofuranose is a modified sugar molecule derived from the sugar ribose. It is characterized by the absence of a hydroxyl group at the 1 and 2 positions of the ribose ring, hence the name dideoxy.

Here's a breakdown of its structure and significance:

**Structure:**

* **Base:** 1,2-Dideoxyribofuranose is a five-membered ring (furanose) derived from ribose.
* **Modifications:** It lacks the hydroxyl groups at the 1 and 2 positions, which are typically present in ribose.
* **Derivatives:** It can exist in different forms depending on the presence of other functional groups, such as the cyclic form, the linear form, and various protected forms.

**Importance in Research:**

1,2-Dideoxyribofuranose is a valuable building block in organic synthesis, especially in the following fields:

* **Nucleosides and Nucleotides:** It is a precursor to the synthesis of various nucleoside and nucleotide analogues, which are used in:
* **Antiviral therapy:** Many antiviral drugs, like AZT (zidovudine) used to treat HIV, are based on modified nucleosides containing 1,2-dideoxyribofuranose.
* **Anti-cancer therapy:** Certain nucleoside analogues are effective against various cancers due to their ability to inhibit DNA replication.
* **Carbohydrate Chemistry:** It is a model compound for studying the reactivity and properties of carbohydrates, particularly for understanding the role of hydroxyl groups in their structure and function.
* **Glycobiology:** It is used in the synthesis of complex carbohydrates and glycoconjugates, which are essential for cellular recognition and signaling.
* **Medicinal Chemistry:** Researchers are exploring its potential as a scaffold for developing new drugs with novel therapeutic properties.

**Examples of its use in research:**

* **Synthesis of AZT:** This antiviral drug contains the 1,2-dideoxyribofuranose moiety, which inhibits the replication of HIV by mimicking the natural substrate of reverse transcriptase.
* **Development of anti-cancer agents:** Researchers are developing new nucleoside analogues containing 1,2-dideoxyribofuranose that can target specific cancer pathways.
* **Study of carbohydrate-protein interactions:** The modified sugar can be used to probe the binding affinities and specificities of different carbohydrate-binding proteins.

**In conclusion, 1,2-dideoxyribofuranose plays a crucial role in various research areas, particularly in the development of novel drugs and the understanding of fundamental biological processes. Its unique structure and reactivity make it a versatile building block for creating new and impactful molecules.**

1,2-dideoxyribofuranose: structure given in first source [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]