www.derpharmachemica.com t Available online a Scholars Research Library Der Pharma Chemica, 2014, 6(3):194-219 (http://derpharmachemica.com/archive.html) ISSN 0975-413X CODEN (USA): PCHHAX 194 www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com Synthesis of pteridines derivatives from different heterocyclic compounds Sayed A. Ahmed*, Ahmed H. Elghandour and Hussein S. Elgendy Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT A great attention has been paid to synthesize new compounds with new sites of action. In this context, the synthesis of pterdinies derivatives has been extensively studied because of their biological importance. They are known to regulate many biological processes and their deficiency induces many disease processes. In this mini review we aim to summarize the structure and methods of pterdinies derivatives synthesis from pyrimidines, pyrazines and other different heterocyclic compounds. Keywords: Pteridines, Pyrimidines, Pyrazines, Heterocyclic compounds. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION In medicinal chemistry, the chemist attempts to design and synthesize a medicine or a pharmaceutical agent, which will benefit humanity. The chemistry of heterocyclic compounds is the most important in the discovery of new drugs. Study of these compounds is of great interest both in theoretical as well as practical aspects [1] . Pteridines, pyrazino[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds, are a group of heterocyclic compounds composed of fused pyrimidine and pyrazine rings [2]. Pteridines research has long been recognized as important for many biological processes, such as amino acid metabolism, nucleic acid synthesis, neurotransmitter synthesis, cancer, cardiovascular function, and growth and development of essentially all living organisms. Defects in synthesis, metabolism and/or nutritional availability of these compounds have been implicated as major causes of common disease processes [3], e.g. cancer, inflammatory disorders, cardiovascular disorders, neurological diseases, autoimmune processes, and birth defects [4]. In more detailed, pteridines are one of the most important heterocycles exhibiting remarkable biological activities because these compounds are constituents of the cells of the living matters [5]. For example, pteridine, is a precursor in the synthesis of dihydrofolic acid in many microorganisms. Where, pteridine and 4-Aminobenzoic acid are converted by the enzyme dihydropteroate synthetase into dihydrofolic acid in the presence of glutamate [6]. At structural level, pteridines have two major classes, ‘conjugated’ pteridines, which are characterized by relatively complex side chains, e.g. the vitamins folic acid, and ‘unconjugated’ pteridines, e.g. biopterin or neopterin bearing less complex side chains at the 6-position of the pterin [7]. Moreover, there are three main classes of naturally occurring pteridines namely, lumazines, isoalloxazine and pterins. Lumazines and isoalloxazines have oxo- substituents at the 2- and 4- positions with the difference being a phenyl ring annealed in the 6- and 7- position on the isoalloxazine. The most common class of naturally occurring pteridines are the pterins which have an amino group at the 2-position and an oxogroup at the 4-position [8]. Studies on developing new methods for new pteridines derivatives synthesis are getting increase therefore; here we aim to elucidate all available structures and methods related to pteridines.