Studies on the periodate oxidation product of [beta]-D-ribosyl-6-methylthiopurine

This study is concerned with the oxidation product of 9-ß-D-ribosyl-6-methylthiopurine. The oxidation product was synthesized in several steps from inosine. 6-mercaptopurine riboside was radiolabeled using sulfur-35. The kinetic study of the sulfur-35 exchange was studied. Methylation and oxidation yielded the 9-ß-D-ribosyl-6-methylthiopurine oxidation product. The radiolabeled product was used to study decomposition of the drug in solution as well as binding of the drug to amino acids.