Simple,inexpensive routes to E and Z zeatine ribosides and derivatives useful for immunoassay.

Allylic oxidation of 6-$\text{N}$-(3,3-dimethylallyl)adenosine $\text{1}$ gave $\text{trans}$ ($\text{E}$) zeatine riboside $\text{3}$, which was isomerized to the $\text{cis}$ ($\text{Z}$) isomer $\text{5}$ by u.v. irradiation. A method for the regiospecific 3′-$\text{O}$-succinoylation of these nucleosides is given.