A series of acyclic analogues of 2~-deoxynucleosides related in structure to 9-[(1, 3- dihydroxy-2-propoxy) methyl] guanine (DHPG, 1) have been synthesized and evaluated for antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (F strain). Additionally, the ability of these analogues to function as substrates for the virus-specified thymidine kinase was examined. Phosphorylation by this kinase is essential for antiviral activity. Although the ...