On the cross-coupling reaction of 1,3-dimethylthymine and thymidine epoxides with nucleophiles.

Solvent effect in reaction of 1,3-dimethylthymine epoxide (1) with amines was investigated. The results are summarized in Table I, indicating that the ratio of formation of the cis product (2) increases as a solvent becomes more polar. Reaction of thymidine epoxide (5) with nucleophiles was also examined.