The Thorpe–Ziegler-type reaction of 3-cyanopyridine-2(1H)-thiones with Biginelli 6-bromomethyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones: cascade assembling of tetra- and pentacyclic heterocyclic scaffolds

3-Cyanopyridine-2(1H)-thiones have been shown to react with Biginelli-type ethyl 4-aryl-6-(bromomethyl)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylates upon heating in DMF giving rise to ethyl 4-aryl-6-{[(3-cyanopyridin-2-yl)thio]methyl}-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylates. The latter upon treatment with an excess of NaH or t-BuOK in boiling DMF undergo a tandem Thorpe–Ziegler-type heterocyclization to give pyrido[3″,2″:4′,5′]thieno[2′,3′:5,6]pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives in good yields. Selected compounds were tested for antibacterial and antifungal activity.