ABSTRACT
A novel reductive method for the chemical modification of nucleosides is described. Reaction of inosine derivatives with boran-THF resulted in the regioselective reduction of purine ring to afford the corresponding 2,3-dihydroinosine derivatives in moderate yields.
Subject(s)
Inosine/analogs & derivatives , Boranes , Inosine/chemical synthesis , Inosine/chemistry , Models, Molecular , Molecular Structure , Oxidation-Reduction , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
It is reported that the diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBALH) reduction of inosine and adenosine derivatives (1a and 1d) causes cleavage of the ribose moiety to give the corresponding 9-ribitylhypoxanthine (2a) and 9-ribityladenine (2d), respectively. The substitution effect of purine nucleosides on the reduction was investigated. O6-alkylinosine derivatives (1b and 1c) were reduced in good yields like 1a. Introduction of methyl group into the N6-position of adenosine (1d), however, greatly reduced the reactivity toward DIBALH. The reduction of 7-deazainosine (3a) and 7-deazaadenosine (3b) hardly proceeded. These results suggest that oxygenophilicity of aluminum atom facilitates coordination of DIBALH to the 7-ring nitrogen atom and accelerate a cleavage of the ribose.