Reactions of 6-hydrazino-, 6-hydroxylaminopurines and related derivatives

7H-Tetrazolo[5,1-i]purine was prepared by nitrosation of 6-hydrazinopurine and by reaction of 6-chloropurine with sodium azide; it was converted to adenine upon catalytic hydrogenation. 6-Hydroxylaminopurine was oxidized to 6-nitrosopurine with manganese dioxide, while alkaline treatment of the former gave 6,6′-azoxypurine. Nitrosation of 6-hydroxylaminopurine afforded 6-(N-nitroso)hydroxylaminopurine. Reaction of 6-chloropurine with 6-hydrazinopurine led to 6,6′-bisadenine; the corresponding ribosyl derivatives gave 6,6′-bisadenosine. Upon air oxidation, 6,6′-bisadenine was converted into 6,6′-azopurine. The related 6-thiosemicarbazino- and 6-(N-methyl)ureidopurine derivatives are also described. 6-N-(Nitroso)hydroxylaminopurine showed an inhibitory activity against several mouse tumors and leukemias.