Synthesis of thymidine from 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)92180-4

A simple, high yield synthesis of thymidine from 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine is described, using tetramethyltin and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) in hexamethylphosphoric triamide. Likewise, 5-phenyl- and 5-vinyl-2'-deoxyuridine can be obtained, and through reduction of the latter the 5-ethyl analogue is also at hand.