The reaction of phenyl isocyanate with purines, pyrimidines and deoxyribonucleic acid

Abstract

Reaction of phenyl isocyanate with cytosine, adenine and guanine gave 4-N-phenylcarbamylcytosine, 6-N-phenylcarbamyladenine and 2-N-phenylcarbamylguanine respectively. Uracil did not react. Reaction of DNA (as the Cetavlon salt) with phenyl isocyanate at 0–4° for 10 days resulted in the almost complete substitution of the cytosine, adenine and guanine residues. From the analytical results and the fact that 3′,5′-O-diacetylthymidine did not react it was concluded that the thymine residues were unaffected.