Facile synthesis of thymidine derivatives by cross-coupling of 5-halogenouridine derivatives with trimethylaluminum

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1993-25833

An efficient method for the introduction of a methyl group in the 5-position of uridine derivatives is described. This method involves three steps: protection of 5-halogenouridines 4 and 5 with hexamethyldisilazane, a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of the pertrimethylsilylated nucleosides with trimethylaluminum, and subsequent deprotection to afford the corresponding thymidine derivatives 6 in high overall yields.