5-Amino-4-(diazoacetyl)-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole, a new antileukemic agent

5-Amino-4-(diazoacetyl)-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole (15), 5-amino-4-(chloroacetyl)-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazole (16), and a number of related imidazole ribonucleosides have been synthesized. Compounds 15 and 16 are cytotoxic to both H.Ep.-2 and L1210 leukemia cells in culture. The (diazoacetyl)imidazole 15 is also active against the P388 leukemia in mice.