Description:
<jats:p>Summary 6β-N(5)-methyl-5.6J,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin·2 HC1. a new derivate of biological interest, was synthesized from 6β-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopteril·2 HC1 and characterized. The latter compound has been used therapeutically in atypical phenylketonuria for many years. The catalytic reductive methylation with PtO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> /H<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> and formaldehyde allowed selective methylation at the N(5) position. The chemical properties and stnlctures of the new compound arc compared with N(5)-methyl-tetrahydropterin and N(5)-methyl-tetrahydrofolate.</jats:p>