Abstract A simple and one step synthetic method for the formation of 1-benzyl-2′- deoxyinosine was developed by direct benzylation of ionized 2′-deoxyinosine. Treatment of 2′-deoxyinosine, in the presence of NaOH, with benzyl bromide in 2, 2, 2– trifluoroethanol (TFE) or N, N–dimethylaetamide (DMA) gave 1-benzyl-2′-deoxyinosine in 35% and 80% yields, respectively.
