The catalytic mechanism for the enzyme, IMP cyclohydrolase, may involve a reaction intermediate with negative charge in the 2-position of the purine ring (Szabados, E., Hindmarsh, E., Phillips, L., Duggleby, R.G. & Christopherson, R.I. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 14237-14245). Three analogues of IMP have been synthesised where fluorine, chlorine or bromine has been substituted in the 2-position on the purine ring. These analogues with an electronegative substituent may resemble a reaction intermediate for IMP cyclohydrolase; 2-fluoro IMP is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme with a Ki value of 0.19 microM, while 2-chloro IMP has a Ki of 1.9 microM and 2-bromo IMP is not inhibitory. However, IMP cyclohydrolase is not inhibited in human CCRF-CEM leukaemia cells exposed to 2-fluoro inosine although it is toxic to these cells with an IC50 value of 4.9 microM.