Synthesis of cyclic guanidines: 2-arylamino-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines

Abstract

Considering the biological and chemical relevance of guanidine containing derivatives, we have devised a novel and efficient two-step synthesis of 2-arylamino-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines. We have found that the coupling of aryl bromides with 2-aminopyrimidine is a very effective method for the high yielding synthesis of 2-arylaminopyrimidines. Moreover, the employment of Pd-catalysed hydrogenation to selectively reduce the pyrimidine ring generates a very high- yielding pathway to 2-arylamino-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines of biological interest.