2,6-Dibromo-9H-purine is a reagent in the synthesis of nucleosides, preparation and oxidation of purines via cyclization, ring transformation and substituent modification.
Reagent for the effective synthesis of 2-bromo- and 2-chloro-2''-deoxyadenosines (I; R = Br, Cl), compounds of interest for potential antitumor chemotherapy.
2,6-Dibromopurine also functions as an inhibitor for membrane-bound 3'',5''-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase.