Convenient synthesis of 5′-methyl-2′-desoxyuridines

A convenient method has been developed for the synthesis of 5-methyl-2-desoxyuridines. Chlorination of 5-O-benzoyl-5-methyluridines with a mixture of Ph₃P and CCl₄ in DMF affords the 2-desoxy-2-chloro-derivatives, which are then reduced with tributyltin hydride. The crystalline 5-O-benzoyl-5-methyl-2-desoxyuridines were obtained in overall yields of 40–60%. In a similar way, 5-O-benzoyluridine has given 5-O-benzoyl-2-desoxyuridine.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 246–248, February, 1989.