Abstract The reaction of ethyl 3-oxobutanoate with N-methylthiourea in alkoxide medium gives a mixture (1: 20) of 1, 6-dimethyl-2-thiouracil and 3, 6-dimethyl-2-thiouracil: the latter isomer has been isolated from the mixture and the former isomer has been prepared by independent synthesis. Dissociation constants of ethyl 2-alkyl-3-oxobutanoates (alkyl= methyl, butyl, or isopropyl) have been measured in methanol. Reaction of these esters ...
