The poor solubility of the thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibiting antifolate lO-propargy1-5, 8- dideazafolic acid has posed problems for its clinical use and is probably responsible for its renal toxicity. The insolubility is caused by the 2-amino-3, Cdihydro-Coxopyrimidine moiety of the drug which stabilizes the solid state by intermolecular hydrogen bonding. In examining this moiety we have removed the 2-amino group and now report on 2- ...