Cross-coupling reactions of unprotected halopurine bases, nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleoside triphosphates with 4-boronophenylalanine in water. Synthesis of (purin-8-yl)- and (purin-6-yl)phenylalanines.

An expeditious and highly efficient single-step methodology for the introduction of a phenylalanine moiety into position 8 and 6 of the purine scaffold was developed based on aqueous-phase Pd-catalysed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of unprotected 4-boronophenylalanine with 8-bromo- or 6-chloropurines. The scope of the methodology was demonstrated by syntheses of unprotected (adenin-8-yl)phenylalanine base, nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleoside triphosphates as well as (purin-6-yl)phenylalanine base and nucleosides. All these products were obtained in high yields and in optically pure form.