Über Pterinchemie. 73. Mitteilung [1]. Zum Verlauf der katalytischen Reduktion von 7-Methylpterin

On the Pathway of the Catalytic Reduction of 7-Methylpterin The catalytic hydrogenation of 7-methylpterin (VII) in a neutral solution occurs first by the reduction of the 7,8-double bond (thermodynamically-controlled reaction) followed by the reduction of the 5,6-double bond. On the contrary, in an acidic medium like CF₃COOH, the 5,6-double bond is reduced first (kinetically-controlled reaction). The dihydro-intermediate then undergoes a [1,2]-H-rearrangement leading to the formation of the thermodynamically more stable 7-methyl-7,8-dihydropterin (XV) which on further reduction gives 7-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin (VIII). The catalytic reduction of 7-methyl-7,8-dihydropterin (XV) with deuterium gives stereoselectively a sole product with D at C(6) in the equatorial position.