– Hypoxanthine (Purin-6-ol), also known as purine-6-ol or Hyp. Hypoxanthine is a naturally occurring purine derivative and a reaction intermediate in the metabolism of adenosine and in the formation of nucleic acids by the nucleotide salvage pathway. Under normal circumstances hypoxanthine is readily converted to uric acid.hypoxanthine is first oxidized to xanthine, which is further oxidized to uric acid by xanthine oxidase.