In the preparation of adenine from hydrogen cyanide, formamide, an ammonium salt, and methyldisulfide, the formation of a polymer by- product is reduced by heating a reaction mixture comprising the formamide and ammonium salt in a closed vessel to a reaction temperature of about 50. degree.-180° C., adding the hydrogen cyanide to the preheated mixture over a period of about 1-5 hours, and maintaining the reaction temperature until the reaction is complete.
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