Versatile, convenient synthesis of pyrimido[1,2,3-cd]purinediones

The alkylation of 3-substituted cycloalkylcarboxamido-6-aminouracil derivatives with 3-bromo-1-propanol followed by ring closure yields 1,3,8-trisubstituted xanthine derivatives bearing a polar hydroxyl group. Use of the more reactive 1,3-dibromopropane or homologous dibromoalkanes for the alkylation reaction results in simultaneous alkylation at N1 and the exocyclic amino group (N6) yielding imidazo-, pyrimido- and diazepino-pyrimidine derivatives. The pyrimidopyrimidine derivatives can subsequently be cyclised using hexamethyldisilazane at high temperature affording an easy, convenient and general access to tricyclic pyrimido[1,2,3-cd]purinediones. Alternatively, 3-substituted 6-amino-5-benzylideneaminouracil derivatives can be reacted with 1,3-dibromopropane followed by an oxidative cyclisation using thionyl chloride to obtain the desired tricyclic pyrimido[1,2,3-cd]purinediones, which are sterically fixed analogues of pharmacologically active purine derivatives.