C–H Imidation of 7‑Deazapurines

We developed and presented here a ferrocene-catalyzed C–H imidation of 7-deazapurines (pyrrolo­[2,3-d]­pyrimidines) with N-imidyl peroxyesters. The reactions occur regioselectively at position 8 in 7-deazapurines, leading to a series of 8-succinimido-, phtalimido-, or naphthalimido-7-deazapurine derivatives. Attempted hydrazinolysis of resulting 8-imidyl-7-deazapurines led to corresponding 8-amino-7-deazapurine, which was very unstable and quickly decomposed.