We describe simple, convenient and high-yielding nucleophilic substitution reactions to synthesize new derivatives of 1, 3-dimethylbarbituric acid (1a). Based on its active C5 position, condensing 1a with sulfuryl chloride gives the corresponding 5, 5-dichloro-1, 3- dimethylbarbituric acid (13). The latter was reacted with silver nitrite and potassium cyanide to afford 5-chloro-5-nitro-1, 3-dimethylbarbituric acid (14) and 5-cyano-1, 3- ...
