Abstract N-Oxidation of 2-amino-6-chloropurine to the 3-oxide provided a convenient intermediate for the synthesis of 2-amino-6-substituted purine 3-oxides, including the previously unavailable 2, 6-diaminopurine 3-oxide. Thiation of the 6-halogen was accompanied by reduction of the N-oxide. The properties of the 1-and 3-oxides of 2, 6- diaminopurine are compared.