C4-substituted 1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines as adenosine agonist analogues

The synthesis of four novel C4-substituted 1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines is reported, and the compounds were examined as adenosine receptor agonist analogues. Neither receptor affinity nor biological activity was as potent as the purine counterparts. Adenosine agonists appear to be sensitive to modification of the purine base, with a nitrogen atom in the 7 position necessary for efficacy.