A series of chlorinated indole nucleosides has been synthesized and tested for activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and for cytotoxicity. The 2'-and 5'-deoxy derivatives of the reported 3-formyl-2, 5, 6-trichloro-1-(β-d- ribofuranosyl) indole (FTCRI) and 3-cyano-2, 5, 6-trichloro-1-(β-d-ribofuranosyl) indole (CTCRI) were synthesized by either a modification of the appropriate 3-unsubstituted ...