Purine vs. Pyrimidine — What's the Difference?

Purine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound that consists of two rings (pyrimidine and imidazole) fused together. It is water-soluble.

Pyrimidine is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound similar to pyridine. One of the three diazines (six-membered heterocyclics with two nitrogen atoms in the ring), it has the nitrogen atoms at positions 1 and 3 in the ring.

A colourless crystalline compound with basic properties, forming uric acid on oxidation.

A single-ringed, crystalline organic base, C4H4N2, that is the parent compound of a large group of biologically important compounds.

A double-ringed, crystalline organic base, C5H4N4, that is the parent compound of a large group of biologically important compounds.

Any of a group of substituted derivatives of pyrimidine, including the nitrogen bases uracil, cytosine, and thymine, which are components of nucleic acids. Barbiturates and certain other drugs are also pyrimidines.

Any of a group of substituted derivatives of purine, including the nitrogen bases adenine and guanine, which are components of nucleic acids. Uric acid, caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline are also purines.

(organic compound) A diazine in which the two nitrogen atoms are in the meta- positions; it is the basis of three of the bases found in DNA and RNA: thymine, uracil and cytosine

(organic compound) Any of a class of organic heterocyclic compounds, composed of fused pyrimidine and imidazole rings, that constitute one of the two groups of organic nitrogenous bases (the other being the pyrimidines) and are components of nucleic acids.

Any of several basic compounds derived from pyrimidine

Any of several bases that are derivatives of purine

A heterocyclic organic compound with a penetrating odor

A colorless crystalline nitrogen-containing organic base; the parent compound of various biologically important substances