Conversion of uridine 2′,3′-carbonates to anhydrouridines

Abstract

Uridine 2′,3′-carbonates are readily converted to 2,2′-anhydrouridines in hot dimethyl formamide with base catalysis. 3′,5′-Di-O-trityluridine is converted to 3′,5′-di-O-trityl-2,2′-anyhdro-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil with diphenyl carbonate in the presence of sodium bicarbonate in hot dimethyl formamide.