Abstract We have synthesized polycyclic nucleoside derivatives by a novel, one pot procedure by reacting 4-0-TPS-pyrimidine nucleosides with aromatic diamines. The reaction is limited in scope but provides easy access to certain previously unknown heterocyclic ring systems.2 4-0-Triisopro- pylphenylsulfonyl-pyrimidine nucleosides were reacted with aromatic diamines leading to fused, polycyclic ring systems: o-phenylenediamine yielded the pyrimido[1,6-a]benzimidazole, 2.3- diaminonaphthalene gave the naphth[2′,3′:4,5]imidam [1.2-flpyrimidine and 1.8-diaminonaph- thalene led to the pyrimido[l,6-a]perimidine ring system. The reaction is unique because two connected nucleophilic centers react with the pyrimidine nucleoside to form an extended ring system. However, reactions of pyrimidine nucleosides with electrophiles are well known. E.g., reaction of cytidine and adenosine with bromoacetaldehyde yields ethenocytidine and ethenoadenosine) and on reaction of cytidine with 1′-methylthiaminium salts dipyrimido[1...