Reductive coupling of 1,3-dimethyluracils with benzophenone by low-valent titanium: unusual two-to-one coupling

The reductive coupling of 1,3-dimethyluracil with benzophenone by Zn–TiCl4 in THF gave unusual two-to-one adduct and its further reduced product. The reductive coupling of 1,3-dimethyl-5-fluorouracil with benzophenone by Zn–TiCl4 also gave two-to-one adduct. 1,3-Dimethylthymine was, however, completely inert under the same conditions.