Synthesis of an o-nitrobenzyl attached A1 adenosine receptor antagonist, a prodrug approach

Article abstract of DOI:10.1081/SCC-120021980

The o-nitrobenzyl group, possessing distinct advantage of being photolabile under mild conditions, was successfully connected to 8-(5,6-epoxynorbornan-2-yl)-1,3-dipropylxanthine (5), a high specific A₁ adenosine receptor antagonist. The resulting compound 4 would have potential use as a prodrug.