Methods for the synthesis of 8-chloro- and 8-bromotheophylline D-ribos
ide triacetates by the chlorination of ,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofura
nosyl)-theophylline with N-chlorosuccinimide or by the glycosylation o
f 8-bromotheo-phylline with 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranose
were found. Nucleophilic displacement of the halogen gave 8-amino-, 8
-alkylamino-, 8-benzylamino-, and 8-hydrazinotheophylline beta-D-ribof
uranosides.