Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are critical in HIV treatment and prevention, classified into adenosine, cytidine, thymidine, and guanosine analogs. They function by competing with natural nucleotides for incorporation into viral DNA, leading to chain termination in viral replication. Key NRTIs include tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for HIV prophylaxis and treatment for chronic hepatitis B, among others, with detailed structural elucidation methods outlined for each compound.