Synthesis of [2‐14C]thymidine: A potential route for [2‐11C]thymidine

Abstract
We report a three‐step synthesis of thymidine, starting from trace amounts of urea, that allows rapid introduction of radioactivity in C2‐position of the pyrimidine ring. Thymine was produced within 5 min with a 60% yield by cyclocondensation of urea and diethyl β‐methylmalate in fuming sulfuric acid (15% SO3). Thymidine was further synthesized by the enzymatic transfer of deoxyribose onto thymine with a 90% yield achieved within 10 min. Using [14C]urea as precursor, the present method allowed the synthesis of radiochemically pure [2‐14C]thymidine in 35 min with a cumulative yield of 40%.

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