Both 12a and ita 5-methyl-substituted analogue 12b were converted to versatile 6bromomethyl intermediates 13a and 13b from which important antifolates may be readily derived. Alkylation of 7 by 13a, b led to 10-propargyl-5-deazaaminopterin (5) and 5-methy1- 10-propargy1-5-deamaminopterin (6). As an inhibitor of TS from H% F/F cells, 4 gave an ICso value Mhowing it to be approximately 6-fold lese inhibitory than PDDF (90 nM for 4 ...