Process for the preparation of pyrimidine compound

Abstract

A process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (2a) and tautomer thereof: which comprises reacting a compound of formula R1-CO-CH2-E with a compound of formula R2-CHX1X2 in the presence of a compound of formula R3R4N C(=NH)NH2 and a catalyst, thereby to form the compound of formula (2a) wherein R1 is an H or an alkyl group; R2 is an H or an aryl or aryl group; R3 and R4 are each independently H, alkyl or aryl, or R3 and R4 are linked to form, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring; E is H, an unsubstituted alkyl group, an aryl group or an electron withdrawing group; and X1 and X2 are each independently leaving groups, or X1 and X2 together represent =O.