Palladium-catalyzed conjugate addition type reaction of 5-iodopyrimidines with α,β-unsaturated ketones

The reaction of various 5-iodopyrimidines with α,β-unsaturated ketones in the presence of palladium diacetate-triphenylphosphine complex in triethylamine are investigated. In the reaction of 2,4-dialkoxy(or alkylthio)-6-methyl-5-iodopyrimidine the addition of pyrimidine to the carbon? carbon double bond of α,β-unsaturated ketones occurs. In the case of other pyrimidines, according to the decrease of steric hindrance at the 5-position on the pyrimidine ring, the ratio of conjugate addition product was decreased and the usual olefinic substituted product was increased.