Synthesis of new mannosyl, galactosyl and glucosyl theophylline nucleosides with potential activity as antagonists of adenosine receptors. DEMA-induced cyclization of glycosylideneiminouracils.

The synthesis of D-mannosyl, D-galactosyl and D-glucosyl theophylline nucleosides by diethoxymethyl acetate (DEMA)-induced cyclization of 4-amino-5-glycosylideneimino-1,3-dimethyluracil is reported. 8-Methyltheophylline derivatives of the same sugars were also prepared by Ac(2)O/H(+)-induced cyclization of their imine precursors. This approach has allowed beta-D-mannopyranosyl-, alpha-D-galactofuranosyl- and beta-D-glucofuranosyltheophylline nucleosides to be synthesized for the first time. The inhibition of specific binding at A(1), A(2A), A(2B) and A(3) adenosine receptors in the mannose derivatives is also reported.