The activity of a series of 1,3-dipropyl-xanthines bearing C8-cycloalkyl substituents as antagonists at A1 and A2 adenosine receptors is examined. Pharmacological results showed that the size of the 8-substituent is an important feature for response in activity of such class of antagonists. Among compounds 3-8, the 2-norbornyl analog 6 showed the best A1/A2 selectivity. A new route for the synthesis of 8-alkyl-substituted xanthines is presented. This method, consisting of a direct alkylation of the imidazole moiety through a radical mechanism reaction, was shown to be a more convenient strategy in comparison with the commonly employed synthetic schemes.