In this paper we describe synthesis and biological assays of some A1 ligands more water- soluble than the effective, but very lipophilic, 8-azaadenines and adenines discovered in the past and obtained introducing on N6 or N (9) substituent a hydroxy group. Five of the new N6-hydroxyalkyl-and N6-hydroxycycloalkyl-2-phenyl-9-benzyl-8-azaadenines showed very high affinity (Ki< 40 nM) and selectivity for A1 adenosine receptors. Among the 2-phenyl-9 ...