Synthesis and photophysical characterization of 1- and 4-(purinyl)triazoles

Fluorescent adenine mimetics are useful tools for studying DNA, RNA and enzyme functions. Herein we describe the synthesis of eight 1-(purinyl)triazoles and two 4-(purinyl)triazoles utilizing the 1,4-regioselective copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction as the key step. The fluorescence properties of five of the synthesized 1-(purinyl)triazoles are also presented. The five measured compounds displayed low quantum yields. The results, when compared to previously published data, suggest a high influence of the substitution pattern of the triazole on the fluorescence properties.