Eprova Ag

Newport Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

Newport Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Hans-Rudolf Mueller

Lionel N Simon

Hans Zutter

Alfred Hedinger

Werner Kuendig

There are prepared compounds of the formulae ##STR1## where R is lower alkyl, chlorine, or bromine and n is an integer from 1 to 5. The compounds of formula (1) can be used to make erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) hypoxanthine and its homologues and also to make the compounds of formulae (2) and (3). All three classes of compounds are useful as immunomodulators.

Process for preparing purine compounds

Imidazole compounds

The yield of 4-methyl-5-hydroxymethyl-imidazole from the known reaction between formaldehyde and 4-methyl-imidazole can be increased greatly if the reaction is performed in a concentrated aqueous medium at pH 11-13.5, preferably 12-13.5, at a temperature of 20.degree.-60.degree. C., preferably 30.degree.-40.degree. C., with an amount of formaldehyde not exceeding 1.5 mole per mole of 4-methyl-imidazole.

Method of preparing 4-methyl-5-hydroxymethyl-imidazole

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Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Hans-Rudolf Mueller