A new synthesis of adenine derivatives is described which involves the initial conversion of a 4, &diamino-5-nitrosopyrimidine to a 7-aminofuraxano [3, 4-d] pyrimidine (2) by lead tetraacetate oxidation, introduction of the eventual adenine 9 and 8 substituents by reaction of 2 with an alkylamine followed by acylation (3+ 4), and reductive cleavage of the furazan ring to give an intermediate 5 which recyclixes to the desired adenine derivative 6. All ...