Sodium Hydroxide → Xanthine

Participants

Reaction Steps

11.3 g (0 . 05 mole) of 1-butyl-5-formylamino-6-aminouracil (II) (R1 =butyl, R8 =H) are dissolved under nitrogen in 200 ml of DMF. 10.6 ml (0.075 mole) of ethyl 4-bromobutyrate are added, after which 2 g (0.05 mole) of solid powder-form NaOH is added with thorough stirring in portions of 0.5 g at intervals of 1 hour. On completion of the addition, the mixture is left to react overnight. The solvent is then evaporated and the oily residue of (IV) (substituent in the 1-position=(CH2)3COOEt) is dissolved in 100 ml of 10% NaOH. This solution is then heated under reflux for 0.5 hour and then cooled, neutralized to pH 5 with acetic acid and filtered. The precipitate formed is dried. Yield: 9.2 g (60%) of crude xanthine (V) (substituent in the 1-position=(CH2)3COOH, R3 =butyl, R8 =H).

Provenance & Evidence