One-pot FeCl3-catalyzed sustainable synthesis of pyrimidines using ammonium iodide, aldehydes and alkyl lactate as raw materials

Abstract

Iron(III)- and iodide-promoted efficient synthesis of pyrimidines from biomass-based alkyl lactates, inorganic ammonium, and aldehydes was carried out. This multicomponent reaction efficiently proceeded through a series of condensation, dehydrogenation coupling, and condensation steps to form C–N and C–C bonds, respectively. This protocol strikingly features sustainable catalysis using Earth-abundant metals and NH₄I as a substrate and catalyst. When using biomass-based alkyl lactate as a raw material, the alkyl lactate can be reused, and clean byproducts can be obtained. More than 30 pyrimidines and 7 triazines were synthesized in isolated yields of up to 92%. In addition, the analysis of several dimensions of green indicators proves the greenness of this work. Promising applications of biobased alcohols and inorganic salts in sustainable organic synthesis are represented by this work.