Abstract A short and efficient sequence for the synthesis of a series of 4-(2-amino-5- thiazolyl)-pyrimidine-2-amines was developed. 1-Phenyl-2-(6-pyrimidinyl)-ethanones, obtained via Weinreb's methodology, were used in a Hantzsch thiazole cyclization reaction, followed by introduction of the aniline moieties via nucleophilic substitution. Graphical abstract