Abstract A novel approach to the synthesis of (purin-6-yl) acetates was developed based on Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 6-chloropurines with a Reformatsky reagent. Their reduction with NaBH 4 and treatment with MnO 2 gave 6-(2-hydroxyethyl) purines, while reactions with amines in presence of NaCN afforded 6-(carbamoylmethyl) purines. Mesylation of the 6-(2-hydroxyethyl) purines followed by nucleophilic substitutions gave ...