Synthetic approaches to the guanosine and xanthosine analogues 5-amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-e][1,3]oxazin-7-one and 3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-e][1,3]oxazine-5,7-dione and studies of their antitumor potential.

5-Amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-e][1,3]oxazin-7-o ne has been synthesized via cyclization of the appropriately protected pyrazofurin derivatives and subsequent transformations of the heterocyclic moiety. This guanosine analogue was marginally cytotoxic to L1210 cells in vitro. The xanthosine analogue 3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-e][1,3]oxazine-5,7-dione was also synthesized, and was found to be highly cytotoxic. It appeared to act as a prodrug of pyrazofurin.