Synthesis of diverse 6-(1,2-disubstituted ethyl)purine bases and nucleosides via 6-(oxiran-2-yl)purines

Dihydroxylation of 6-vinylpurines with t-BuOOH and OsO4 gave 6-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)purines 2, while the epoxidation with H2WO4 and t-BuOOH afforded 6-(oxiran-2-yl)purines 3. Oxirane ring-opening reactions of 3 with diverse nucleophiles gave a series of title 6-(1,2-disubstituted ethyl)purine bases and nucleosides, which were tested for cytostatic and antiviral activities.