Pyrimidine
synthesis starting from acrylonitrile has been known
since the 1960s. The new Lewis acid-catalyzed condensation reaction
allows the synthesis of 4-aminopyrimidines starting from the easily
accessible chemical acrylonitrile without the need for carcinogenic
chemicals and costly derivatization in up to 90% yield. The method
is versatile and applicable for industrial-scale synthesis of biologically
relevant substances such as vitamin B1 and trimethoprim.