Synthesis of 4-nitromethylene-1,4-dihydropyrimidine derivatives as pyrimidine nucleoside analogues

The synthesis of 4-nitromethylene-1,4-dihydropyrimidine derivatives as pyrimidine nucleoside analogues was developed, starting from 3-nitropyran-2-one N-functionalized amidines. Primary amines were reacted with amidines yielding 4-nitromethylene-1,4-dihydropyrimidine derivatives. In an initial survey, several 4-nitromethylene-1,4-dihydropyrimidines turned into 4-nitromethylene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine derivatives under different reduction conditions. The reduction reaction also induced a change in the exocyclic double bond configuration from (E) to (Z), due to an intramolecular hydrogen bond.