A new, general synthesis of purines

Abstract

Reactions of 6-amino-5-nitrosouracil derivatives with the 1,1-dimethylhydrazones of a wide variety of aldehydes in dimethylformamide led to the corresponding xanthine derivatives. Alkylation of 9-substituted 1-methyl-xanthines with an excess of alkyl halide in dimethylformamide in the presence of potassium carbonate gave the corresponding 3,7-dialkyl-1-methylxanthine, with elimination of the 9-substituent. Treatment of 6-amino-4-hydroxy-5-nitroso-2-phenylpyrimidines with aldehyde 1,1-dimethylhydrazones also gave the corresponding purines.