Confirmation of 5-hydroxy-7-methyl-Δ4,9-isouric acid as an intermediate in the electrochemical oxidation of 7-methyluric acid

Spirodihydantoin is a minor product of 5-hydroxyisourate in urate oxidation

[reaction: see text] Spirodihydantoin is a minor product from oxidation of uric acid ( approximately 0.15% yield), while spiroiminodihydantoin is a major product from oxidation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (37% yield, pH 10.2). High pH and temperature favor the formation of both spiro compounds. (18)O labeling experiments and in situ generation and decomposition of 5-hydroxy-N7-methylisouric acid indicate that spirodihydantoin and allantoin and spiroiminodihydantoin and guanidinohydantoin are products of 5-hydroxyisourate and 5-hydroxy-8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine intermediates, respectively.