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It has been established that bis(l-/3-D-ribofuranosyl-4-thiouracil) disulfide and its methyl analog are hydrolyzed almost quantitatively in alkali to the corresponding thiones and sulfenic acids in 1:1 molar ratios. 1-Methyluracil-4-sulfenic acid was isolated and characterized as its silver salt. Uridine-4-sulfenic acid was identified by the similarity of its uv absorption spectra with those of its 1-methyl analog. Some of the properties of the sulfenic acid derivatives are reported. The cleavage of the disulfides in acid, on the other hand, gives quantitative formation of the corresponding thiones and uracil derivatives. he recent discovery of four thiopyrimidines3-5 and one thiopurine6 as minor bases in tRNA has stimulated considerable interest in these compounds, parti) Research sponsored by the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission under contract with the Union Carbide Corp.

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