Twenty-one 6-alkoxypurine 2', 3'-dideoxynucleosides were enzymatically Synthesized with nucleoside phosphorylases purified from E. coli. Eighteen analogs exhibited anti-HIV-1 activity in MT4 cells. Two analogs, 6-(hexyloxy)-(17) and 64heptyloxy)-(18) purine 2', 3'- dideoxynucleoside, were as potent as 2 ', 3 '-dideoxyinosine (ddI, didanosine, Videx). Although the antiviral activities of 17 and 18 were equivalent, 18 was more cytotoxic. ...