A convenient synthesis of 2-substituted 4-amino-5-pyrimidinecarbonitriles

Synthesis of the novel 2-halogenated 4-amino-5-pyrimidinecarbonitriles 3a,b starting from ethoxy-methylenemalononitrile 1 and cyanamide is described. Nucleophilic substitution of the reactive halogen atom leads to the derivatives 5a-g, 6 and 7a-h.