The preparation of 1-(4, 5-dihydroxypentyl) uracils and the corresponding cytosine derivatives as acyclic analogs of 3'-deoxythymidine and 2', 3'-dideoxycytidine (DDC), respectively, is described. The synthesis consists of alkylation of sodium salts of pyrimidine bases with 4-pentenyl p-toluenesulfonate 2 followed by oxidation of the double bond with peroxyforrnic acid to afford the 1-(4, 5-dihydroxypentyl) uracils. 1-(4, 5-Dihydroxypentyl) ...