Bansal PC, Pitman IH, Tam JN, Mertes M, Kaminski JJ. N-hydroxymethyl derivatives of nitrogen heterocycles as possible prodrugs I: N-hydroxymethylation of uracils.
J Pharm Sci 1981;
70:850-4. [PMID:
7310649 DOI:
10.1002/jps.2600700803]
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Abstract
Solid samples of 1,3-dihydroxymethyluracil, 3-hydroxymethyl-1-methyluracil, and 1-hydroxymethyl-3-methyluracil were prepared, and their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis. The thermodynamics and kinetics of the formation of N-hydroxymethylated uracils in aqueous formaldehyde solutions also were studied. The equilibrium constants for formation of N-1-hydroxymethyl derivatives were approximately twice those for formation of N-3-hydroxymethyl derivatives, and they were formed more rapidly throughout the pH 3--8 range. Substituents at C-5 of uracil had little effect on the thermodynamics of N-hydroxymethylation. The potential usefulness of N-hydroxymethyl compounds as prodrugs is discussed.
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