The structure of 5—chloro and 5—alkoxy—5, 7—dihydro—3H—purine—2, 4, 6~ trio—lies (6 and 7-9) has been corroborated by their spectral properties and X—ray crystallography. The stereochemical model (R)—10 of the key uricolytic in< tor-mediate was prepared using menthol as chiral auxiliary. In acidic solutions, depending on the N-substitution, the ring cleavage occurred either at the 4, 9Abond 6b a 13 (R1= Me) or at the 3, 4-bond Go—> 14 ...