Synthesis of a new class of uridine phosphorylase inhibitors

Abstract A new series of potent uridine phosphorylase inhibitors have been prepared from barbituric acid. Among them, 1‐[(2‐hydroxyethoxy)methyl]‐5‐)( m‐ ‐benzyloxy)benzylbarbituric acid ( 37 , BBBA) is the most promising having a K i value of 1.1 ± 0.2 n M with uridine phosphorylase from human liver. The new inhibitors are easily synthesized and are better inhibitors of human uridine phosphorylase than their uracil counterparts.