The bromination of purines with a charge transfer complex between bromine and lutidine

Diaminopurines, immobilized on a polymeric support are treated with a charge transfer complex of bromine and lutidine to afford 8-brominated derivatives. An ionic complex of bromine and lutidine did not oxidize the purines. 2,6-Dialkyl-aminopurines could also be oxidized on the alpha -carbon of their 2-alkylamino group. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.