Organocatalytic synthesis of novel purine and pyrimidine acyclic nucleosides

Organocatalysis is assessed for the first time in the synthesis of purine and pyrimidine acyclic nucleosides providing high yields and straightforward work-up procedures. Nucleobases containing aldehydes are catalytically ligated (C-C bond formation) to acetone or to phosphonate-containing ketones by means of pyrrolidine or silica-immobilized piperazine as amine-based organocatalysts.