2amino4hydroxypyrimidine

2-amino-4-hydroxypyrimidine, also known as isocytosine, is an isomer of the common nucleobase cytosine. It is a pyrimidine derivative with an amino group at the 2-position and a hydroxyl group at the 4-position. In its tautomeric form, it exists predominantly as 2-amino-4(1H)-pyrimidinone.

Isocytosine is not one of the standard bases found in DNA or RNA. However, it has been studied in the context of unnatural base pairing and the origins of life. It can form base pairs with guanine and also with other modified pyrimidines, such as 5-methylisocytosine. These non-canonical base pairings have implications for understanding the chemical evolution of genetic material.

The synthesis of isocytosine can be achieved through various chemical routes, often involving condensation reactions of guanidine with appropriate three-carbon precursors. Its chemical properties, including its solubility and reactivity, are characteristic of substituted pyrimidines.

Research into isocytosine and its analogues continues to explore its potential in areas such as medicinal chemistry, diagnostics, and the development of novel genetic systems. Its structural similarity to natural nucleobases makes it a valuable tool for probing molecular interactions within biological systems.