Reaction of thymines with Na 2 S 2 O 8 in water resulted in selective oxidation of the methyl group at 5-position of thymines. Oxidation of thymines with Na 2 S 2 O 8 in hydrochloric acid gave 5-chloro-6-hydroxy-5, 6-dihydrothymines and in acetic acid containing NaCl gave 6- acetoxy-5-chloro-5, 6-dihydrothymines which were converted to 6-alkoxy-5-chloro-5, 6- dihydrothymines with alcohols. The reaction of uracils also gave similar products together ...
