Proton magnetic resonance spectra of some 6- and 7-substituted 2-amino-4-hydroxypteridines

The conformations in solution of 6-phenyltetrahydropterin, 6,7-diphenyltetrahydropterin and 6-7, dimethyltetrahydropterin have been determined from their proton magnetic resonance spectra. The 6-phenyltetrahydropterin has the reduced pyrazine ring in a half chair conformation with the phenyl ring in the equatorial position. Both the 6,7-diphenyl- and 6,7-dimethyltetrahydropterins are of the cis configuration and have one substituent in an axial position. The enzymatic activity of these cofactors may be related to these conformations.