The marine alkaloid rigidin has been synthesized from 2, 4-dimethoxy-7- phenylsulfonylpyrrolo [2, 3-d] pyrimidine. Lithiation of the pyrrolo [2, 3-d] pyrimidine followed by electrophilic substitution with N, 4-dimethoxy-N-methylbenzamide afforded a 6-(4- methoxy) benzoyl derivative which by alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent iodination was converted into 2, 4-dimethoxy-5-iodopyrrolo [2, 3-d] pyrimidin-6-yl 4-methoxyphenyl ...