Three-component synthesis of pyrimidine and pyrimidinone derivatives in the presence of high-surface-area MgO, a highly effective heterogeneous base catalyst
Abstract Magnesium oxide (MgO) effectively catalyzes the three-component reaction of aldehydes, amidine systems, and malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate to form 4-amino-5- pyrimidine carbonitrile and pyrimidinone derivatives, respectively. The salient features of this method include high conversions, short reaction times, cleaner reaction profiles, and the use of inexpensive and readily available catalyst.