It has been reported recently'that 5-mercaptouracil and some of its derivatives are competitive antagonists of thymine. These compounds originally were synthesized by us from 5-aminouracil by way of the diazonium salt. 2 In the course of an exploration of alternative routes of synthesis which might be more applicable to the preparation of larger quantities, the synthesis of 5-mercaptouracil by way of 5-uracilsulfonyl chloride was ...
