Two modes of tethering a chiral (phenylisopropyl)amino substituent in pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines and purines have been explored. One mode gave (S)-2,7-dihydro-7-phenyl-2-(phenylmethyl)-5- propoxy-3H-imidazo[1,2-c]pyrazolo-[4,3-e]pyrimidine (12a) and its corresponding R-enantiomer 12b, which were selective for A2 and A1 adenosine receptors, respectively. The corresponding diimidazo[1,2-c:4',5'-e]pyrimidines 12e and 12f were analogously selective. This is the first example where a single chiral recognition unit provides enantiomers with opposite selectivities for adenosine receptors. The second mode gave (2S-trans)-2,7-dihydro-2-methyl-3,7-diphenyl-5- propoxy-3H-imidazo[1,2-c]-pyrazolo[4,3-e]pyrimidine (12c) and its corresponding R-enantiomer 12d. Compounds 12c and 12d were significantly less potent than 12a and 12b at A1 receptors, and were nonselective.