Synthesis of 7H-tetrazolo[1,5-c]pyrrolo[3,2-e]pyrimidines and their reductive ring cleavage to 4-aminopyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines

Some new 7,9‐disubstituted 7H‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazolo[1,5‐c]pyrrolo[3,2‐e]pyrimidines 5 have been synthesized either by diazotization of 4‐hydrazino‐5,7‐disubstituted‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidines 4 obtained by hydrazinolysis of 4‐chloro‐5,7‐disubstituted‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidines 3 or via a substitution reaction between 3 and sodium azide. 5,7‐Disubstituted‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones 2 were obtained by cyclocondensation of 2‐amino‐3‐cyano‐1,4‐disubstituted pyrroles 1 with formic acid which on chlorination using phosphorus oxychloride afforded 3. A novel route for the synthesis of 4‐amino‐5,7‐disubstituted‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidines 6 by the reductive ring cleavage of 5 has been reported.