2',3'-Bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophosphoryl-3'-amino-3'-deoxyadenosine: a cyclic nucleotide with antitumor activity

The synthesis of the title compound from 3'-amino-3'-deoxyadenosine in 40% yield is reported. 3'-Amino-3'-deoxyadenosine was made by an improved synthesis in 12 steps from inexpensive D-xylose in 15% overall yield. Both isomers of the title compound, separated by column chromatography, possess confirmed activity against KB tumor cell cultures.