Direct Minisci-Type C-H Amidation of Purine Bases

A method for the C-H carboxyamidation of purines has been developed that is capable of directly installing primary, secondary, and tertiary amides. Previous Minisci-type investigations on purines were limited to alkylations and arylations. Herein, we present the first method for the direct C-H amidation of a wide range of purines: xanthine, guanine, and adenine structures, including guanosine-and adenosine-type nucleosides. The Minisci-type reaction is also metal-free, cheap, operationally simple, scalable, and applicable to late-stage functionalizations of biologically important molecules.

Automated summary

A new method has been developed for the direct C-H carboxyamidation of purines, allowing for the installation of primary, secondary, and tertiary amides. This metal-free and affordable approach is operationally simple and suitable for late-stage functionalizations of biologically important molecules.