This causes more mutations in all downstream copies than the virus can survive, an effect called viral error catastrophe or lethal mutagenesis. Chemistry
The first synthesis of molnupiravir was disclosed in a patent filed by Emory University in 2018.In the first step, acetone is used as a protecting group to render two of the three hydroxy groups of uridine unreactive to treatment with the acid anhydride of isobutyric acid, which converts the third hydroxy group to its ester. Treatment with 1,2,4-triazole and phosphoryl chloride produces a reactive intermediate in which the triazole portion can be replaced with hydroxylamine. Finally, removal of the protecting group using formic acid converts the material to molnupiravir. : 93–95 
Alternative patented routes to molnupiravir have been reviewed. History
Molnupiravir was developed at Emory University by its drug innovation company, Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory (DRIVE). In 2014, DRIVE began a screening project funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to find an antiviral drug targeting Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), which led to the discovery of EIDD-1931. When turned into the prodrug EIDD-2801 (molnupiravir), the compound also showed activity against other RNA viruses including influenza, Ebola, chikungunya, and various coronaviruses.The international nonproprietary name of the drug was inspired by that of Thors hammer, Mjölnir.
The final analysis reported a 30% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths.As of January 2022, the Panoramic trial is testing molnupiravirs effectiveness. References
Further reading
Thorlund K, Sheldrick K, Meyerowitz-Katz G, Singh S, Hill A (March 2022). "Making Statistical Sense of the Molnupiravir MOVe-OUT Clinical Trial". Am J Trop Med Hyg. 106 (5): 1301–1304. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.21-1339. PMC 9128711. PMID 35276667. S2CID 247406958. External links

"Molnupiravir". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.