The structural and stereogenic properties of pentaerythritoxy-bridged cyclotriphosphazene derivatives: spiro-spiro, spiro-ansa and ansa-ansa isomers

Reactions of pentaerythritol with hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N3P3Cl6, and gem-disubstituted cyclotriphosphazene derivatives, N3P3Cl4R2 [R = Ph, NHBu(t) or (OCH2CF2CF2CH2O)0.5] gave a series of pentaerythritol-bridged derivatives linked spiro-spiro, spiro-ansa and ansa-ansa. The structures and stereogenic properties of the products were characterised by X-ray crystallography and 31P NMR spectroscopy on addition of the chiral solvating agent, (S)-(+)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9-anthryl)ethanol. Molecules with spiro-spiro and spiro-ansa bridged gem-disubstituted cyclophosphazenes [R = Ph, NHBu(t) or (OCH2CF2CF2CH2O)0.5] are found to be chiral and exist as racemates. Molecules with ansa-ansa bridged cyclophosphazenes [R = Cl or (OCH2CF2CF2CH2O)0.5] have been characterised for the first time and are shown to have meso configurations. Analysis of crystal structure data shows that the six-membered chair form of the spiro rings and the eight-membered boat-chair form of the ansa rings in the bridged compounds are similar to analogous spiro and ansa exocyclic ring conformations of 1,3-propanedioxy-derivatives of cyclophosphazenes.     

Ansa versus spiro substitution of cyclophosphazenes: is fluorination essential for ansa to spiro transformation of cyclophosphazenes?

Fluorinated ansa substituted cyclophosphazenes endo-FcCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)[P(F)N](2)(F(2)PN) [Fc = ferrocenyl] (1) and exo-FcCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)[P(F)N](2)(F(2)PN) (2) readily transform to the spirocyclic compound [FcCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)PN](F(2)PN)(2) (3) not only in the presence of CsF but also with non-fluorinated bases such as Cs(2)CO(3), K(2)CO(3), KOBu(t), Et(3)N, DABCO, DBN, and DBU. The analogous tetrachloro ansa compound exo-FcCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)[P(Cl)N](2)(Cl(2)PN) (5), however, did not transform to the chlorinated spiro compound (6) in the presence of these bases. With excess of CsF, P-Cl bonds of 5 were found to undergo fluorination leading to the formation of 2, which transformed to spirocyclic compound 3. Time dependent (31)P NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor this transformation. Crystal structure studies on the ansa substituted compounds 4 and 5 have shown weak bonding interactions involving C-H...Cl, C-H...O, and C-H...S interactions.     

Crystal structure of 4-(4'-diethylaminophenyl)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-pyridine-3-carbonitrile.

4-(4'-Diethylaminophenyl)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-pyridine-3-carbonitrile (DMPPC) was studied by X-ray diffraction methods due to its non-linear optical properties. The pyrrolidine and pyridine rings adopt half-chair and planar conformations, respectively. The molecules in the crystal are stabilized by C-H...O and C-H...N types of intermolecular interactions in addition to van der Waals forces.     

Preparation of the first examples of ansa-spiro substituted fluorophosphazenes and their structural studies: analysis of C-H...F-P weak interactions in substituted fluorophosphazenes

The reactions of fluorophosphazenes, endo ansa FcCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)[P(F)N](2)(F(2)PN) (1) (Fc = ferrocenyl) and spiro [RCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)PN](F(2)PN)(2) (R = Fc (2), C(6)H(5) (3)], with dilithiated diols have been explored. The study resulted in the formation of the first examples of ansa-spiro substituted fluorinated cyclophosphazenes as well as a bisansa substituted fluorophosphazene. The bisansa compound [1,3-[FcCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)]][1,5-[CH(2)(CH(2)O)(2)]]N(3)P(3)F(2) (4) was found to be nongeminaly substituted with both the ansa rings in cis configuration, which is in stark contrast to the observations on cyclic chlorophosphazenes where geminal bisansa formation has been observed. The ansa-spiro compounds (5-7) underwent the ansa to spiro transformation leading to dispiro compounds in the presence of catalytic amounts of CsF at room temperature. Two of the ansa-spiro compounds, endo-[3,5-[FcCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)]][1,1-[CH(2)(CH(2)O)(2)]]N(3)P(3)F(2) (5) and endo-[3,5-[FcCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)]][1,1-[FcCH(2)P(S)(CH(2)O)(2)]]N(3)P(3)F(2) (6), were structurally characterized, and the crystal structures indicate boat-chair conformation as well as crown conformation for the eight-membered ansa rings. Weak C-H.F-P interactions observed in the crystal structures of the ansa-spiro substituted fluorophosphazene derivatives have been analyzed and compared with C-H.F-P interactions of other fluorinated phosphazenes and thionyl phosphazenes.     

Crystal structure of N,N-disalicylidene-(R,S)(S,R)-1,2-ethanediamine

N,N-disalicylidene-(R,S)(S,R)-1,2-ethanediamine crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 9.5634(6), b = 14.2917(9), c = 16.9181(8) Å and Z = 4. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least squares to final values R1 = 0.0 + 399 and wR2 = 0.1004 with 2755 reflections (I > 2σ(I)). The N,N-disalicylidene-(R,S)(S,R)-1,2-ethanediamine molecules exhibit intramolecular N-H...O and are connected by C-H...O and C-H...π interactions to form a 2D supramolecular network.     

C-H…O Hydrogen Bonds and π…π Interaction and the Crystal and Molecular Structures of 3-Nitro-benzylideneaniline-methyl-2’

The title compound (C14H12N2O2,Mr=240.26) crystallizes in the monoclinic system,space group P21/a with a=7.394(1),b=21.334(3),c=7.423(1)A,β=89.82(1)A°,V=1170.8(3)A3,Z=4,Dc=1.363 g/cm3,μ(MoKα)=0.93 cm-1 and F(000)=504.00.The final R and wR are 0.0440 and 0.1370 for 2153 observed reflections (I>2σ(I)),respectively.The dihedral angle between the two phenyl rings is 52.9°and that between the NO2 group and its attached ring is 3.0°.In the crystal,molecules are stacked along [100] throughπ…πinteractions.The C-H…O hydrogen bond (3.403 A,120.4°) laterally connects the stacks along [010] to form networks (001) which are further anti-parallelly connected by C-H…O(3.382 A,142.9°) andπ…πinteractions extending along [001].Also presented here is a brief study on the C-H…O hydrogen bonds in nitro-substituted benzyl-ideneanilines which can be classified into five types,namely,R12(5)R21(4),R22(8),R12(6),andR22(7),with the first three occurring more often.     

Structural characterization of two oxadiazolic systems used as spacers for potential angiotensin II receptor antagonists

The structures of two oxadiazole derivatives, methyl 2-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]benzoate (1) and methyl 2-[3-(4-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]benzoate2, used as spacers in the synthesis of new potential non-peptide angiotensin receptor antagonists have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In both compounds π-π interactions were observed between the oxadiazole rings and the phenyl rings of neighboring molecules. In the crystal packing of the oxadiazole 2 two C-H?O interactions are present.     

The molecular and crystal structure of tert-butyl Nalpha-tert-butoxycarbonyl-L-(S-trityl)cysteinate and the conformation-stabilizing function of weak intermolecular bonding

The title compound, C31H37NO4S [systematic name: (R)-tert-butyl-2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-3-(tritylsulfanyl)propanoate] is an L-cysteine derivative with three functions: NH2, COOH and SH, blocked by protecting groups tert-butoxycarbonyl, tert-butyl and trityl, respectively. The main chain of the molecule adopts the extended, nearly all-trans C5 conformation with the intramolecular N-H...O=C hydrogen bond. The urethane group is not involved in any intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Only weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts are observed in the crystal structure. These are C-H...O hydrogen bonds and CH/pi interactions with donor...acceptor distances, C...O ca. 3.5 A and C...C ca. 3.7 A, respectively. The first type of interaction links phenyl H-atoms and carbonyl groups. The second type of interaction is formed between a methyl group of the tert-butyl fragment and a trityl phenyl ring. The resulting molecular conformation in the crystal is very close to an ab initio minimum energy conformer of the isolated molecule. The extended C5 conformation of the main peptide chain is the same and there is slight discrepancy in the disposition of trityl phenyl rings. Their small dislocation creates the possibility of forming the entire network above of extensive, specific, weak intermolecular interactions; these constrain the molecule and permit it to retain the minimum energy C5 conformation of its main chain in the solid state. In contrast, in n-hexane solution, where such specific interactions cannot occur, only a small population of the molecules adopts the extended C5 conformation.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Optical Activity of （Z）-Nitromethylene Neonicotinoid Analogue

A novel (Z)-nitromethylene neonicotinoid analogue (C23H27Cl2N5O4·2H2O) (II) with optical activity has been synthesized, the structure was characterized by elemental analysis, IR and 1H NMR spectra, and the (Z)-configuration was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal belongs to triclinic, space group P1 with a = 7.4638(3), b = 12.6232(5), c = 15.2990(6), α = 71.907(1), β = 89.397(2), γ = 80.314(1)°, V = 1349.28(9)3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.340 g/cm3, μ = 0.286 mm-1, Mr = 544.43, F(000) = 572, S = 1.056, R = 0.0801 and wR = 0.2366 for 4998 unique reflections with 3012 observed ones (I > 2σ(I)). In the crystal, the dihedral angle between the pyridine and 4-Cl-phenyl rings is 58.13°. Intermolecular O–H···O, C–H···O and C–H···Cl hydrogen bonds involving water molecules stabilize the crystal structure.     

Cocrystallization of N-donor type compounds with 5-sulfosalicylic acid: The effect of hydrogen-bonding supramolecular architectures

Benzotriazole,N,N’-dimethylpiperazine and N-methylpiperazine were applied to crystallize with 5-sulfosalicylic acid(5-H2SSA),affording three new binary molecular cocrystals [(C6H6N3+).(C7H5O6S-)].H2O(1),[(C6H16N22+)1/2.(C7H5O6S-)].H2O(2) and [(C5H14N22+).(C7H5O6S-)2].3H2O(3) under general conditions.Proton-transferring occurs from acid to nitrogen of N-donor compounds in all compounds 1,2 and 3.Analysis of the hydrogen-bonding synthons and their effects on crystal packing were also presented in the context of crystal engineering and host-guest chemistry.In compound 1,1-D infinite chains are extended to a 2-D layered architecture via strong O-H...O hydrogen bonds and then to a 3-D network by N-H...O interactions.Compound 2 and 3 both have the 1-D chain which is formed by O-H...O bonds and weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds.A common intramolecular S(6) [synthon I] ring is formed by the hydroxyl with the carboxyl group in all three compounds.     

Understanding the structural properties of a homologous series of bis-diphenylphosphine oxides

A homologous series of bis-diphenylphosphine oxides (C6H5)2PO(CH2)(n)PO(C6H5)2 (with n = 2-8; denoted 2-8] have been investigated to explore the effects of a range of competing and cooperative intermolecular and intramolecular interactions on the structural properties in the solid state. The important factors influencing the structural properties include intramolecular aspects such as the conformation of the aliphatic chain and the intramolecular interaction between the two P=O dipoles in the molecule, and intermolecular aspects such as long-range electrostatic interactions (dominated by the arrangement of the P=O dipoles), C-H...O interactions, C-H...pi interactions and pi...pi interactions. Compounds 3 and 5 could be crystallized only as solvate co-crystals (3 water and 5 x (toluene)2], whereas the crystal structures of all the other compounds contain only the bis-diphenylphosphine oxide molecule. The crystal structures have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, with the exception of 7 (which has been determined here from powder X-ray diffraction data) and 4 (which was known previously). The compounds with even n represent a systematic structural series, exhibiting characteristic, essentially linear P=O...P=O...P=O dipolar arrays, together with C-H...O and C-H...pi interactions. For the compounds with odd n, on the other hand, uniform structural behaviour is not observed across the series, although certain aspects of these crystal structures contribute in a general sense to our understanding of the structural properties of bis-diphenylphosphine oxides. Importantly, for the compounds with odd n, there is "frustration" with regard to the molecular conformation, as the preferred all-anti conformation of the aliphatic chain gives rise to an unfavourable parallel alignment of the two P=O dipoles within the molecule. Clearly the importance of avoiding a parallel alignment of the P=O dipoles becomes greater as n decreases. Local structural aspects (investigated by high-resolution solid-state 31P NMR spectroscopy) and thermal properties of the bis-diphenylphosphine oxide materials are also reported.     

Crystal or low molecular mass organogel based on sugar-derived chiral pyrano[2,3-b]naphtho[1,2-e]pyrans

[structure: see text] 2-C-Acetoxymethyl glycal derivatives reacted with beta-naphthol in the presence of InCl(3) (30 mol %) to give chiral pyrano[2,3-b]naphtho[1,2-e]pyrans in good to excellent yields via stereoselective Ferrier rearrangement-tandem cyclization. The major glucose-derived product exhibited crystal packing with C-H...O and C-H...pi (arene) interactions and the major galactose-derived product, a low molecular mass organogelator (LMOG), formed a rare type of micro tubular gel assembly in n-hexane.     

Stereochemistry of phenyl alpha-nitronyl nitroxide radicals

An extensive investigation of the conformations adopted by the family of phenyl alpha-nitronyl nitroxides has been carried out. A database containing 110 crystal structures was used in a statistical study of the solid-state geometries and conformations of these radicals. This study revealed that the favoured conformations involve a twisted distortion in the imidazolyl rings and a twist between the aromatic and heterocyclic rings in the molecules. As a consequence, these radicals show two types of preferred conformations in the solid state: the pseudo-anti enantiomeric pair and the pseudo-eclipsed pair, the latter type being the most statistically probable. A new chiral member of this group of radicals that bears a lactate moiety, (R)-1, and its corresponding racemic compound, (R,S)-1, have been prepared in order to study the influence of chiral induction from the stereogenic centre on the torsion angle between the aromatic and heterocyclic rings of the alpha-nitronyl nitroxides. The X-ray crystal structures of the enantiopure and racemic compounds, which both reveal chains of molecules sustained by strong O-H...O hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic acid group and the ON group of the radical in the solid, as well as their magnetic properties have been determined. Remarkably, the molecules with a given stereogenic centre have a single helical sense between their component rings, even in the racemic crystal. Chiral induction from the stereogenic centre to the radical unit has also been proved by CD spectroscopy in the solid state. The results of these experiments have been rationalised by ab initio calculations of the spectra.     

Structures, photoluminescence, and reversible vapoluminescence properties of neutral platinum(II) complexes containing extended pi-conjugated cyclometalated ligands

Reacting K2PtCl4 with the tridentate R-C(wedge)N(wedge)C-H2 ligands 2,6-di-(2'-naphthyl)-4-R-pyridine (R = H, 1a; Ph, 1b; 4-BrC6H4, 1c; 3,5-F2C6H3, 1d) in glacial acetic acid, followed by heating in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), gave complexes [(R-C(wedge)N(wedge)C)Pt(DMSO)] (2a-d). In the crystal structures of 2a-c, the molecules are paired in a head-to-tail orientation with Pt...Pt separations >6.3 A, and there are extensive close C-H...pi (d = 2.656-2.891 A), pi...pi (d = 3.322-3.399 A), and C-H...O=S (d = 2.265-2.643 A) contacts. [(Ph-C(wedge)N(wedge)C)Pt(PPh3)] (3) was prepared by reacting 2b with PPh3. Reactions of 2a-d with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) gave [(R-C(wedge)N(wedge)C)2Pt2(mu-dppm)] (4a-d). Both head-to-head (syn) and head-to-tail (anti) conformations were found for 4a.6CHCl3.C5H12, whereas only one conformation was observed for 4b.2CHCl3 (syn), 4c.3CH2Cl2 (syn), and 4d.2CHCl3 (anti). In the crystal structures of 4a-d, there are close intramolecular Pt...Pt contacts of 3.272-3.441 A in the syn conformers, and long intramolecular Pt...Pt separations of 5.681-5.714 A in the anti conformers. There are weak C-H...X (d = 2.497-3.134 A) and X...X (X = Cl or Br; d = 2.973-3.655 A) interactions between molecules 4a-d and occluded CHCl3/CH2Cl2 molecules, and their solvent channels are of varying diameters (approximately 9-28 A). Complexes 2a-d, 3, and 4a-d are photoluminescent in the solid state, with emission maxima at 602-643 nm. Upon exposure to volatile organic compounds, 4a shows a fast and reversible vapoluminescent response, which is most intense with volatile halogenated solvents (except CCl4). Powder X-ray diffraction analysis of desolvated 4a revealed a more condensed molecular packing of syn and anti complexes than crystal 4a.6CHCl3.C5H12.     

Similarities and differences in the structures of 5‐bromo‐6‐hydroxy‐7,8‐dimethylchroman‐2‐one and 6‐hydroxy‐7,8‐dimethyl‐5‐nitrochroman‐2‐one

The title compounds, C₁₁H₁₁BrO₃, (I), and C₁₁H₁₁NO₅, (II), respectively, are derivatives of 6‐hydroxy‐5,7,8‐trimethylchroman‐2‐one substituted at the 5‐position by a Br atom in (I) and by a nitro group in (II). The pyranone rings in both molecules adopt half‐chair conformations, and intramolecular O—H...Br [in (I)] and O—H...O_nitro [in (II)] hydrogen bonds affect the dispositions of the hydroxy groups. Classical intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds are found in both molecules but play quite dissimilar roles in the crystal structures. In (I), O—H...O hydrogen bonds form zigzag C(9) chains of molecules along the a axis. Because of the tetragonal symmetry, similar chains also form along b. In (II), however, similar contacts involving an O atom of the nitro group form inversion dimers and generate R₂²(12) rings. These also result in a close intermolecular O...O contact of 2.686 (4) Å. For (I), four additional C—H...O hydrogen bonds combine with π–π stacking interactions between the benzene rings to build an extensive three‐dimensional network with molecules stacked along the c axis. The packing in (II) is much simpler and centres on the inversion dimers formed through O—H...O contacts. These dimers are stacked through additional C—H...O hydrogen bonds, and further weak C—H...O interactions generate a three‐dimensional network of dimer stacks.     

Crystal and molecular structure studies of 1′-Benzyl-8-(4-fluorobenzyl)-8-azaspiro[bicyclo-[3.2.1]octane-3,4′-imidazolidine]-2′,5′-dione

The title compound 1′-Benzyl-8-(4-fluorobenzyl)-8-azaspiro[bicyclo[3.2.1] octane-3,4′-imidazolidine]-2′,5′-dione, C₂₃H₂₃FN₃O₂ is synthesized and the structure is investigated by X-ray diffraction studies. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic crystal class in the P1 space group. The hydantoin ring adopts a planar conformation and is affected by the π conjugation. The pyrrolidine and piperidine rings in the bicyclo octane moiety adopt envelope and chair conformations respectively. The structure exhibits both inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the type N-H...O, C-H...O, and C-H...N. The oxygen atom in the hydantoin ring simultaneously accepts two hydrogen bonds to form a three-centered hydrogen bonding pattern.     

Crystal structure of bromoalkyl derivatives of 6-methyl-uracil and isocyanuric acid

Single crystal XRD is used to study the crystal structure of 1-(4-bromobutyl)-3,6-dimethyluracil and 1,3-dimethyl-5-(5-bromopentyl)-isocyanurate in comparison with structurally similar compounds studied previously. It is shown that unlike macrocyclic compound, for which the crystal structure is determined by the presence of the stacking effect, in the crystals of their artificial precursors stacking interactions are not observed. For 1-(4-bromobutyl)-3,6-dimethyluracil, C-H...O interactions and C=O...Br interactions for 1,3-dimethyl-5-(5-bromopentyl)-isocyanurate are found. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2009 by Yu. K. Voronina, L. F. Saifina, E. S. Romanova, O. A. Lodochnikova, and I. A. Litvinov __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 608–611, May–June, 2009.     

Roles of C-H...O=S and pi-stacking interactions in the 2-bromoacrolein complex with N-tosyl-(S)-tryptophan-derived oxazaborolidinone catalyst

[structures: see text] Ab initio and density functional calculations were employed to examine the structures and binding energies of various complexes between 2-bromolacrolein and N-tosyl-(S)-tryptophan-derived B-butyl-1,3,2-oxazaborolidin-5-one (NTOB), a catalyst commonly used for Diels-Alder reactions. Our calculations show that the chiral oxazaborolidinone catalyst serves as a tridentate complexation agent via B...O donor-acceptor, C-H...O hydrogen-bonded, and pi-stacking interactions. The most stable complex (1TS) is predicted to have a binding energy of -93 kJ mol(-1) (deltaG(298) = -29 kJ mol(-1)). The formyl C-H...O hydrogen bond and pi-stacking interaction are the key factors governing the relative stabilities of the four acrolein-NTOB complexes examined. The calculated structure and binding properties of 1TS are consistent with the experimental results on the absorption spectrum of the acrolein-NTOB complex and the effects of substituents on the reactivity of Diels-Alder reactions. 1TS differs from Corey's proposed model of transition-state assembly in two aspects: (1) it involves the s-trans-acrolein and (2) it favors a C-H...O interaction via the sulfonyl oxygen (C-H...O=S), rather than the ring oxygen (C-H...O-B). This calculated structure of the acrolein-catalyst complex provides an alternate explanation of the origin of stereoselectivity in the NTOB-catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions.     

Benzoyl transfer reactivities of racemic 2,4-di-O-acyl-myo-inosityl 1,3,5-orthoesters in the solid state: molecular packing and intermolecular interactions correlate with the ease of the reaction

Racemic 2,4-di-O-acyl-myo-inosityl 1,3,5-orthoesters undergo transesterification catalyzed by sodium carbonate with varying ease of reaction in the solid state; reactions in solution and melt do not show such varied differences. An interesting crystal of a 1:1 molecular complex of highly reactive racemic 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-myo-inosityl 1,3,5-orthoformate and its orthoacetate analogue exhibited better reactivity than the latter component alone. Single-crystal X-ray structures of the reactants have been correlated with the observed differences in the acyl-transfer efficiencies in the solid state. Although each of the derivatives helically self-assembles around the crystallographic 2(1) axis linked through O-H...O hydrogen bonding, the pre-organization of the reactive groups (C=O [El] and OH [Nu]), C-H...O and the C-H...pi interactions are significantly more favourable for the reactive derivatives than the less reactive ones. Bond-length distributions also showed differences; the O-C bond of the axial benzoyl group, which gets cleaved during the reaction, is longer (1.345-1.361 A) relative to the chemically equivalent O-C bond of the equatorial benzoyl group (1.316-1.344 A) in the reactive derivatives. These bond-length differences are not significant in the less reactive derivatives. The overall molecular organization is different too; the strikingly discrete helices, which may be viewed as "reaction tunnels" and are held by interhelical interactions, are clearly evident in the reactive derivatives in comparison with the less reactive ones.     

Regiospecific N9 alkylation of 6-(heteroaryl)purines: shielding of N7 by a proximal heteroaryl C-H1

Purine alkylations have been plagued with formation of mixtures of N9 (usually desired), N7, and other regioisomers. We have developed methods for synthesis of 6-(azolyl)purine derivatives whose X-ray crystal structures show essentially coplanar conformations of the linked azole-purine rings. Such ring orientations position the C-H of the azole above N7 of the purine, which results in protection of N7 from alkylating agents. Treatment of 6-(2-butylimidazol-1-yl)-2-chloropurine (9) with sodium hydride in DMF followed by addition of ethyl iodide resulted in exclusive formation of 6-(2-butylimidazol-1-yl)-2-chloro-9-ethylpurine (10), whereas identical treatment of 2-chloro-6-(4,5-diphenylimidazol-1-yl)purine (11) produced a regioisomeric mixture 12/13 (N9/N7, approximately 5:1). The linked imidazole and purine rings are coplanar in 9 (the butyl side chain is extended away from the purine ring and C-H is over N7) but are rotated approximately 57 degrees in 11, and the more bulky azole substituent in 11 did not prevent formation of the minor N7 regioisomer 13. Access to various regioisomerically pure 9-alkylpurines is now readily available.