Curiosity about fluorinated nucleosides started in the 1960s, driven by the hunger to find antiviral agents that could outperform natural nucleosides. Researchers soon spotted the value of a single fluorine swap on uridine, one of the basic building blocks of RNA. The addition of a methyl group on the same site brought a new layer of complexity, blocking viral polymerases from using these lookalikes to churn out new viruses. The specific compound, (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine, broke into the scientific conversation during medicinal chemistry’s big wave in the 1980s and 1990s, mostly in Japan, Europe, and the United States. Over time, chemists refined ways to stick fluorine and methyl into the right position on uridine rings, and this molecule built a reputation in the world of antiviral research.
What stands out about (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine is its clever disguise. To a virus’s machinery, this analog looks almost like the uridine it craves, tricking it into grabbing the fake piece. Once incorporated, the slight differences—especially the fluorine and methyl at the key carbon—knock the cellular machine off track, stalling replication or turning out broken RNA. This approach builds on established logic from drugs like zidovudine or sofosbuvir, but here, the tweaks dial in better selectivity and less collateral damage to healthy cells. Researchers have used it both as a lab tool to study viral pathways and as a candidate for new antiviral therapies.
As a crystalline powder, (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine dissolves sparingly in water but better in certain organic solvents. Its melting point sits in the neighborhood of 180–190°C, and the compound remains stable at room temperature for at least a year if kept dry and away from light. Analysis by proton and fluorine NMR reveals sharp peaks that make quick identification possible in a chemistry lab. Chemically, this molecule holds together well under neutral and slightly acidic or basic conditions; the carbon-fluorine bond toughens up the uracil ring against breakdown. The product resists easy hydrolysis and has a molecular weight of about 246 Da.
Suppliers like Sigma-Aldrich and TCI list purity levels exceeding 98%, supported by NMR, HPLC, and mass spectrometry certificates. The powder usually comes stored in amber vials at 10, 25, or 100 milligrams, labeled for research only—not for human or veterinary use. Bottles display lot numbers, molecular structure, formula (C10H12FN2O5), and CAS number for traceability. Storage instructions recommend keeping it desiccated and below 4°C. Material Safety Data Sheets back up workplace safety and handling rules set by OSHA and GHS. Research facilities with institutional clearance manage distribution, given the compound’s potential for bioactivity.
Chemists have worked out a straightforward route starting from 2-deoxyuridine. The process usually kicks off by protecting the 5’-hydroxyl group with a silyl or acetyl group. Fluorination at the 2-position follows, using reagents like DAST or Selectfluor in a mild organic solvent. Removal of the temporary group uncovers the reactive site for methylation—often achieved with methyl iodide under moderate basic conditions. Cleanup steps involve purification by preparative HPLC and sometimes crystallization from cold ethanol. Each batch passes through analytical verification to rule out contamination by similar nucleosides or incomplete fluorination. Yields range from 55% to 65% depending on the scale and equipment quality.
Researchers have been drawn to this compound’s flexibility in chemical reactions. Glycosylation upgrades the molecule into cytidine or thymidine analogs, while phosphorylation at the 5’ position paves the way for nucleotide prodrugs. The methyl group blocks attacks from common nucleophiles, boosting resistance against enzymatic cleavage by glycosidases and phosphatases. Chemists frequently add protecting groups during multidirectional synthesis, then peel them away in the final step to leave a clean nucleoside. Some labs graft longer alkyl chains or lipophilic tails for better cell uptake, while others attach radioisotopes or fluorescent tags for tracking in biological assays.
The literature sometimes refers to (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine as 2’-Deoxy-2’-fluoro-2’-methyluridine, 2-F-2-Me-dU, or FMdU. Certain suppliers brand it under research names like FMU or assign internal catalog numbers. These aliases pop up in chemical databases such as PubChem (CID: 144963964) and ChemSpider. Journals often clarify the configuration at the 2-position to distinguish from the (2S) enantiomer, which generally shows lower activity.
Safety rules around fluorinated nucleosides echo those for other fine chemicals. Powder should be weighed using a glovebox or fume hood, with operators wearing gloves, lab coats, and eye protection. Dust can irritate respiratory tracts, and accidental skin contact risks mild sensitization or dermatitis. Unused material or contaminated wipes must be disposed of as chemical waste, following local EPA and institutional regulations. At this point, there’s no evidence for acute toxicity at the gram level, but unknown long-term effects call for strict containment and event logs. GHS pictograms and hazard codes decorate every package, so newcomers know what they’re handling.
Medicinal chemists have spent long hours testing (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine in cell culture assays against RNA and DNA viruses. Results suggest promising inhibition of hepatitis C, herpes simplex, and even HIV in models where resistance limits older drugs. Cancer researchers have also deployed this nucleoside to trip up DNA synthesis in tumor lines, using it either as a primary agent or as part of a combo with other chain-terminators. Beyond disease models, the compound serves as a probe to untangle nucleotide metabolism and test polymerase enzyme fidelity. Some synthetic biologists have explored swapping this nucleoside into artificial genetic code systems, looking for new frontiers beyond natural DNA and RNA.
Recent patents highlight efforts to convert (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine into orally bioavailable prodrugs. Teams have fiddled with esterification at the 5’-hydroxyl and masked phosphate groups to sneak the molecule past digestive barriers. Others have attached cell-penetrating peptides or nanoformulations for targeted delivery to liver, lung, or brain tissue. Preclinical animal studies provide early evidence for higher metabolic stability, low off-target toxicity, and no severe impact on hematopoietic stem cells. Collaboration between academic labs and pharmaceutical companies tracks new variations, feeding a steady stream of derivative compounds into in vitro, ex vivo, and animal pipeline screens.
Animal testing so far records low acute toxicity after oral or intravenous administration in rodents. At high enough doses, researchers spotted mild liver enzyme elevation and kidney swelling, but effects reversed after stopping treatment. In human cell lines, (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine disrupts DNA synthesis only at concentrations above those needed for antiviral impact. Mutagenicity tests, like Ames and micronucleus assays, show less potential for genetic damage than classic nucleoside analogs; nonetheless, regulatory agencies ask for more chronic exposure data before clearing any human trial. Labs continue to monitor for delayed reproductive or developmental toxicity in long-term rodent studies.
Pharmaceutical companies signal growing interest in (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine as antiviral resistance climbs with older drugs. This molecule’s tailored features fit modern needs: strong virus selectivity, less collateral cell harm, and easy chemical modification for prodrug development. The surge in global pandemic preparedness fuels deeper exploration into broad-spectrum nucleoside analogs, with trials branching beyond hepatitis and herpes to cover neglected viruses. Out of the lab, scientists keep exploring uses in gene editing, synthetic biology, and new delivery tech, broadening what this small fluorinated sugar can achieve. Expect tighter safety standards, new patent filings, and clinical trial launches in the next decade. If high-bar safety and target selectivity hold, (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine could reshape both virus treatment and biotechnological design.
An unfamiliar name to most people, (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine grabs attention in pharmaceutical labs that never sleep. What grabs researchers isn’t just the mouthful of a name—it’s the potential packed into this modified nucleoside. This compound draws from uridine’s structure, tweaked at the sugar and base to offer unique qualities. Scientists stay busy searching for substances that can trip up cancer cells or viral replication without wrecking healthy tissues. Modified nucleosides like this one have a knack for sliding into cellular processes, jamming up replication at key moments.
This chemical stands out in the toolkit against cancer, especially certain solid tumors and blood cancers. Chemotherapy has leaned on nucleoside analogs for decades—think of drugs like cytarabine or gemcitabine. Fluorine substitution gets a lot of attention for a good reason. It isn’t just a random tweak; the atom makes the molecule more stable in the body, ramps up its ability to get inside cancer cells, and can block DNA building in ways natural building blocks can’t. Cancer cells crave raw materials for DNA, dividing out of control. When they grab a lookalike like this compound, their rapid copying machinery stutters and stalls.
Some new studies show this compound also interests virologists. Similar analogs have found spots in antiviral therapies—unique shapes let them sneak into viral DNA or RNA chains, halting new virus particles. While clinics keep their focus mostly on cancer, the door remains cracked for investigations into chronic viral infections. With the rise of novel viruses and drug resistance, having more chemical options helps keep everyone a step ahead.
In the lab, this compound doesn’t just go straight into patient trials. Molecules with promise often meet roadblocks: toxicity, short half-lives in blood, missing the target, or being spat out by cellular pumps. My work in a pharmaceutical analysis lab exposed me to those clinical failures—molecules that wowed in a dish but flopped in mice or men. Modified nucleosides show up again and again in early drug screens because their shape and electric charge can be fine-tuned for performance.
This compound, in particular, has a fluorine that slows its breakdown by natural enzymes, letting it circulate longer. Drug developers know patients benefit when dosing frequency drops and side effects don’t pile up. Animal studies point to lower toxicity than old-school options like 5-fluorouracil. Researchers still want to see longer-term studies and trials in humans before anybody celebrates. False starts happen often, but every success starts with molecules that look a lot like this one.
What keeps progress moving? Collaboration. Chemists make hundreds of analogs like this and feed the results to teams testing cancer cells from real patients. Personalized medicine becomes closer to reality with every success, and this compound fits that push. If specific cancer subtypes take up this nucleoside more eagerly, doctors might use companion diagnostics to match the right patients. Real progress may come when researchers pair this drug with others—cutting off escape avenues that let cancer dodge single agents.
Compounds like (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine don’t work alone—they make up one piece of a much bigger puzzle in modern medicine. Each new analog written on a whiteboard brings hope that the next pill or injection on the market fights old diseases more safely and more precisely than what came before.
Research labs spend hours peeling apart molecules like (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine. Each piece, every atom in a given position, tells a tale about how drugs work or how cells respond. Scientists call this a modified nucleoside. It’s built on the classic skeleton of uridine, a building block for RNA, but swaps in a fluorine atom and a methyl group at the second position of its sugar ring. Unlike normal uridine, the sugar here is missing an oxygen at the 2' spot (the "deoxy" part) and instead hosts both a fluorine and a methyl group (“2-fluoro-2-methyl”). Tossing these atomic substitutions into the mix changes everything: from how enzymes recognize it, to how cells might use—or avoid—incorporating it into genetic material.
The chemical formula for (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine comes out to C10H13FN2O5. You can picture this: a uracil base bound to a tweaked ribose ring, where that ring sports the extra fluorine and methyl at the second carbon. Small switches like these might seem minor, but in chemistry, they often make or break a molecule’s potential as an antiviral agent or a tool in molecular biology.
Drill down into the details, and you’ll see why chemists pay careful attention to molecular weight. For (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine, it clocks in at about 260.22 g/mol—important information for anyone trying to dose accurately or analyze its movement in a reaction. Getting the molecular weight right means researchers can mix solutions with precision, calculate molarities quickly, and plan synthesis routes that avoid waste.
Experienced chemists also keep molecular weight handy when using mass spectrometry. This helps to distinguish between similar compounds and to check purity. A mistake here, even just a digit off, throws off lab work in a hurry.
The fluorine and methyl switches at position 2 completely shift the game. Fluorine does more than just sit pretty; it can block enzymes that would break the molecule down, making it stick around longer inside cells. Some antiviral drugs borrow this trick to fend off viral replication. Methyl groups add bulk and hydrophobicity. They make it harder for natural enzymes to bind and munch on the molecule, or sometimes turn it into a better fit for targets involved in disease.
Years of medicinal chemistry chase small changes like these, tweaking molecular scaffolds bit by bit in hopes of finding the next breakthrough. One good example comes from the antiviral world. Similar tweaks built up medicines that slowed down viruses responsible for hepatitis and HIV. The structure of (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine draws on that same tradition—swap a group, push the limits, and possibly reveal a new mechanism or application.
The growing demand for tailored nucleosides crosses boundaries—infectious disease, cancer research, and even synthetic biology. Knowing how to build and weigh (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine isn’t just an academic puzzle; it solves real-world problems. Labs looking to create more selective drugs need these blueprints. Companies scaling up production for clinical trials count on accurate molecular data. As new threats in medicine emerge, modified nucleosides like this help chart a course forward.
One way forward involves better ways to synthesize these kinds of molecules, cutting down on toxic byproducts, or using greener chemistry. Another is to invest more in databases that connect structure with function, letting teams anywhere find links between modifications and biological activity.
Understanding something as specific as (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine’s structure and weight shows that biochemistry lives in the details. Behind every atom's position sits the next potential therapy, diagnostic, or tool for innovation. Keeping the facts straight, and translating them into practical use, gives researchers and patients alike the best shot at breakthroughs in science and medicine.
If you work anywhere near synthetic chemistry or molecule design, you know molecules like (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine show up as both helpful research tools and as jumping-off points for medical ideas. One big point is: keep your chemicals useful, not garbage. Anyone who’s had a freezer meltdown or let a compound sit improperly capped knows what neglect does. This uridine analog needs the right conditions, or your whole research plan melts with it.
In my own lab years, the reality was simple. Freezers get overcrowded fast, folks borrow space, and powder jars collect frost. Yet, small details pay off for rare, expensive nucleoside analogs. For (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine, store at minus twenty degrees Celsius. The low temperatures slow down hydrolysis, keeping the molecule whole. Manufacturers also recommend storing it tightly closed and dry, away from room-temperature hikes during power outages or frequent door-opening. Even small spikes can damage compounds and force you to repeat weeks of synthesis.
There’s a reason desiccants fill every shelf in a careful chemist’s fridge. This compound hates water. Damp air causes solid nucleosides to degrade over time, reacting with moisture. If your container lets air inside, or you scoop out material with a damp spatula, you’ve introduced a headache. I learned to double-bag sensitive samples in sealed jars with new silica gel, saving rare compounds from slow ruin.
Even overhead bulbs or stray sunlight from a window speed breakdown. UV impacts cause bond cleavage and unwanted side reactions in many nucleoside analogs. Store flasks and vials in amber tubes or at least wrap aluminum foil around a bottle. Learning from biochemists, I kept special compounds in dark, inner cabinets, far from any stray lab lamp.
Good habits go beyond temperature and dryness. My worst mistakes came from unclear labeling, like reusing old vials or skipping expiry dates. Note the synthesis batch, date of storage, and full name right on each vial. If your team rotates often, include who prepared it. Too many labs waste money remaking perfectly good samples because nobody trusted the label.
Use glass vials with airtight lids. Chemical-grade plastics sometimes react with halogenated analogs, messing up your sample. For opened containers, always recap firmly to keep oxygen and contaminants out.
Some nucleoside analogs can be tricky—one unexpected spill and you’re calling EH&S, scrubbing benchtops, or filing an incident report. Organize all compound storage away from incompatible materials and label hazards for new students. Teaching the next generation matters just as much as keeping your current batch stable.
(2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine holds real value as a building block for researchers. High standards for storage preserve its scientific value, cut down on wasted hours, and help every team member trust what goes into the next experiment. Cold, dry, sealed, shaded, and well-labeled: simple rules that keep research moving forward.
Talking about (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine usually means stepping into the world of modified nucleosides. These are molecules that tinker with the backbone of RNA or DNA. Chemists have been fascinated by slight changes to natural bases because tiny shifts can make or break a molecule's usefulness as an antiviral drug or genetic research tool. This particular compound grabs attention thanks to the rearrangement of its sugar moiety and the addition of a fluorine atom. In the lab, these changes often translate to greater stability and stronger resistance to breakdown by enzymes that chew up regular nucleosides.
Many researchers want to figure out how viruses replicate or find a way to mess with cancer cells’ genetic machinery. To do that, they need compounds that slide into the process and either help read what’s going on or put a wrench in the works. (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine seems promising on paper. Reports suggest compounds with similar structures can stall viral replication, since they get picked up by polymerases but don’t work quite the same as the real thing. The addition of both a methyl and a fluorine group hints that this molecule won’t break apart quickly inside living cells. For researchers who have struggled with plain nucleosides—often destroyed as soon as they enter the cell—this property means experiments don’t get derailed so often, and cleaner data lands on the page.
Peer-reviewed studies get top billing in scientific credibility. A look through recent literature doesn’t bring heaps of published clinical trials or broad in vivo research on this exact molecule. Journals focusing on nucleoside analogs, though, have plenty of evidence that introducing fluorine to deoxy sugars makes these molecules less recognizable to common metabolic enzymes. Medicinal chemistry teams often see similar modifications extend compound half-life and boost potency in cell-based models of viral diseases. Looking at the drug discovery field—the success of other nucleoside analogs like sofosbuvir for hepatitis C—backs the logic behind using these tweaks.
Using this compound in a clinic involves more hoops to jump through. Regulators expect hard proof that any potential therapy clears toxicity benchmarks, gets absorbed at the right rate, and acts only on its intended target. Either rodent studies or cultured human cells provide early answers here. For this specific nucleoside, there isn’t enough published safety data to call it ready for human trials. As a chemist who’s handled nucleoside analogs, one frustration pops up: sometimes, even the most promising structure causes off-target genetic changes, or creates toxic metabolites when patient enzymes try to process it. Safety screening could take months to years, and every batch needs consistent purity—fungi or chemical leftovers would bring unsafe surprises in a clinical batch.
Promising molecules deserve a careful, stepwise evaluation. For now, this modified uridine analog could help research teams who need a stable nucleoside for genetic assays or early-stage antiviral work. Funding organizations and university labs can push preclinical studies further, and industry might weigh in with high-throughput screens to test cell survival, metabolism, and off-target risks. If results look good, documented protocols and peer-reviewed papers pave the way toward clinical-grade production. Quality control, transparency, and public sharing of all toxicity and absorption data will determine whether (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine moves out of the test tube and into human health.
Anyone who has spent time in the lab knows it’s easy to fall into a routine—another vial, another bench, pipettes and gloves. Fluorinated nucleosides like (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine demand a bit more attention. Research into antiviral and anticancer compounds often involves these modified nucleosides. Their power to disrupt biological systems runs beyond their function in an experiment. Overlooking their potential can cost more than a botched assay.
Contact with skin may not seem dramatic at first. Redness or itching tells only half the story. Fluorinated compounds can be absorbed through the skin and, based on structure-activity relationships from similar nucleosides, toxicity may sneak up on you. Touch your eyes with contaminated gloves, and you might deal with more than just mild irritation. Nested within this compound’s structure sits fluorine—an atom that often boosts cell permeability. Accidental eye exposure can inflame the cornea, and washing out your eye becomes a race against time.
Most labs equipped with biosafety hoods use them for bacteria or viral vectors. They shield you from fumes too. Volatile organic compounds can produce low-level gases you might never smell, but you sure will feel, especially during evaporation or open handling. Inhale the dust or vapors, and sensitive lungs might react with burning, coughing or, in the unlucky, bronchospasm.
Lab coats do more than build camaraderie. Long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, and waterproof gloves draw a clear line between your skin and whatever might spill. Gloves matter—a lot. Standard nitrile gloves typically block out fluorinated nucleosides, but splashes seep in given enough time. Change gloves often and throw them away safely. Goggles with side-shields keep droplets out of your eyes. Open handling on the bench top feels fast, yet working under a chemical fume hood slows down mistakes and keeps the air clear.
Measure powders with the utmost care. Tiny puffs become airborne almost invisibly. Pre-wet any powders before trying to reconstitute them. Use transfer tools, not hands, for weighing. Keep your hands away from your face until you’ve washed up well.
Store (2R)-2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-2-methyluridine well away from light and humidity. Amber vials and sealed bags protect its chemical stability. Label all containers, even temporary ones. You may know what’s inside now, but confusion arrives in a week.
Disposal deserves care. This compound could contaminate water or soil systems, so never wash it down the drain or toss it in the trash. Collect all waste in containers meant for organic solvents and submit them for hazardous waste disposal. Keep a written log of amounts handled and waste generated—if an accident occurs, responders need information more than apologies.
Safety training means more than video modules. Real learning happens during lab walkthroughs, quizzes, and drills. Face-to-face discussions about lab mishaps in staff meetings sink lessons in deep. Stock up-to-date safety data sheets where they can be grabbed in seconds, not buried in a filing cabinet.
Experience teaches respect for risk. Mistakes happen, but habits—like double-gloving and using the fume hood—bend the odds in your favor. Never assume today’s nucleoside works like yesterday’s. Each compound pulls its own risks along. Keep vigilance as part of your toolkit, right alongside curiosity and care.
