Studies on the Thorpe-Ziegler-reaction. A new synthesis of the pyridine part of thiamine]

Thorpe-Ziegler cyclization of N′-cyano-N-(2-cyanoethyl)-acetamidine ( 5a ) yields 4-amino-2-methyl-1,6-dihydro-5-pyrimidinecarbonitrile ( 8a ). The acetamidine 5a is accessible either from the N-cyanoimidate 1 and β-aminopropionitrile ( 3a ) or the N-cyanoamidine 2 and acrylonitrile ( 4 ). The dihydropyrimidine 8a is easily converted to 4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidine-carbonitrile ( 13 ) by dehydrogenation or to 4-amino-5-aminomethyl-2-methylpyrimidine ( 15 ) by hydrogenation-dehydrogenation. Both products are important intermediates in the synthesis of thiamine.