Synthesis of 2‐amino‐4‐aryl‐6‐styrylpyrimidines through aza‐Michael addition/nucleophilic addition/dehydrogenation cascade reactions

An efficient method for the synthesis of 2-amino-4-aryl-6-styrylpyrimidines by the reactions of various distyryl ketones with guanidine hydrochloride through aza-Michael addition/nucleophilic addition/dehydrogenation cascade processes is described. The salient features of this protocol are the use of easy-to-obtain substrates, transition-metal-free system, mild reaction conditions, high atom economy, wide substrate scope, satisfactory yield, and simple work-up procedures.