CHEMICAL ALTERATION OF NUCLEIC-ACIDS AND THEIR COMPONENTS .13. REACTION OF NUCLEOSIDES WITH DIACYL PEROXIDES

Diacyl peroxides reacted at room temperature with cytidine and adenosine. The former gave 4-acyl and 3-oxido derivatives, and the latter gave 6-acyl and 1-oxido derivatives. At 90.degree. C diacetyl peroxide reacted with guanosine, adenosine, cytidine and uridine by a homolytic process to give their C-methylated derivatives. The latter reaction was accelerated by the presence of a ferrous ion.