Cu-catalyzed C–H sulfenylation of purines, 7-deaza- and 9-deazapurines with aryl- or alkyldisulfides has been developed. In purines, the reaction occurs at position 8, in 7-deazapurines at position 7 and in 9-deazapurines at position 9, leading to new interesting arylsulfanyl derivatives of purine or deazapurine bases. The resulting 8-arylsulfanylpurines undergo Liebesking–Srogl coupling with arylstannanes or
A series of novel 6-substituted 7-arylsulfanyl-7-deazapurine bases and nucleosides has been prepared for screening of anticancer activity. 7-Thienylsulfanyl-7-deazapurine bases exerted micromolar cytostatic affects.