Glycosylation of trimethysilyl theophylline by 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-
L-arabinofuranose yielding 7-(alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl)theophylline af
ter deacetylation is reported. A method for the synthesis of 8-chlorot
heophylline alpha-L-arabinofuranoside using N-chlorosuccinimide was fo
und. Further nucleophilic displacement of chlorine has provided the co
rresponding 8-amino- and ethylaminotheophylline-alpha-L-arabinofuranos
ides.