Abstract: Adenosine-5'-carboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein Z is two hydrogen atoms or a divalent lower alkylidene radical, ##STR2## R is an aliphatic or arylaliphatic radical, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently a hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, optionally N-alkylated lower aminoalkyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or piperidinyl radical, orR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 taken together are a divalent ethylene radical containing 4-7 carbon atoms optionally interrupted by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by an imino, alkylimino or arylimino radical or a pharmacologically compatible salt thereof.The esters surprisingly can be prepared by esterifying the acid in the presence of sulfuric acid without hydrolyzing the sugar group. While the esters have some activity, they can be used to make the amides which are characterized by marked coronary activity.