A novel and facile reaction to N6-alkylated adenosine via benzotriazole as a synthetic auxiliary

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/jhet.5570370218

The reaction of benzotriazole with aliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic aldehyde and adenosine leads to a benzotriazole adduct which is reduced with sodium borohydride to the corresponding N⁶-alkylated adenosine derivatives. This procedure is also utilized in a new route to N⁶-(3- iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (IB-MECA) which is considered an important adenosine agonist at A₃ adenosine receptors.