2'isodideoxy-β-D-nucleosides as stable antiviral agents

The present invention is concerned wtih new 2'-isomeric 2 2',3'-dideoxy-2'β-D-nucleosides and their derivatives where the base moiety has β-stereochemistry but is transposed from the normal 1'-position to the 2'-position and the carbohydrate moiety has the D-configuration at the 4'-position. These compounds are resistant towards hydrolytic cleavage of the glycosidic bond and are resistant to enzymatic deamination. They have potential in the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections, particularly retroviral infections and especially AIDS.