Derivatives of 3-and 1-(4′-hydroxy-3′-(hydroxymethyl) butyl)-imidazo [4, 5-b] pyridine were prepared in several steps from 2-amino-5-chloropyridine. Selected compounds were evaluated against human cytomeglovirus (HCMV), herpes simplex virusus (HSV1/HSV2) and varicella zoster virus (VZV). Details of their synthesis and biological activities are presented.