Abstract
The new process for synthesis of adenine from malonic ester has been investigated. Adenine has been prepared in 25% over-all yield from diethyl malonate by a six-step synthesis which involves: (1) reaction of diethyl malonate with conc. ammonium hydroxide solution to give malonamide (76%), (2) condensation of the amide with formamide in ethanolic sodium ethoxide to give 4, 6-pyrimidinediol (76%), (3) nitration of 4, 6-pyrimidinediol in glacial acetic acid with fuming nitric acid to give 5-nitro-4, 6-pyrimidinediol (95%), (4) chlorination of 5-nitro-4, 6-pyrimidinediol with phosphorus oxychloride and N, N-dimethylaniline as a basic catalyst to give 4, 6-dichloro-5-nitropyrimidine (71%), (5) amination of 4, 6-dichloro-5-nitropyrimidine with alcoholic ammonia to give 4, 6-diamino-5-nitropyrimidine (98%) and (6) heating 4, 6-diamino-5-nitropyrimidine with formamide, formic acid and sodium dithionite to give adenine (67%).
