The reduction of ethyl 2-methylthio-(or 2-ethoxy) pyrimidine-5-carboxylate by LiAlH4 afforded ethyl 2-methylthio-(or 2-ethoxy)-1, 6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate as the main product. Similarly, the reduction of 2-methylthio-(or 2-methoxy) pyrimidine-5-carboxamide by LiAlH4 gave 2-methylthio-(or 2-methoxy)-1, 6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile as main product.
