Synthesis and structures of the 2-(dimethylsila)pyrimidine derivatives (Ar = Ph, C6H4Bu-4; X = H, SiMe3, Li(hmpa)2, K(thf)3; n = 1, 2)

Five crystalline 2-(dimethylsila)pyrimidine derivatives (Z) have been prepared in excellent 1–4 or satisfactory 5 yield and characterised. The source of each was ultimately LiCH(SiMe₂R)(SiMe₂OMe)] R = Me (B) or OMe (I)]. Compound 1 (Z with Ar = Ph, X = SiMe₃, n = 1) was obtained from Z with Ar = Ph, X = Li(OEt₂), n = 4; previously isolated from B P.B. Hitchcock, M.F. Lappert, X.-H. Wei, J. Organomet. Chem. 689 (2004) 1342]] and Me₃SiCl. The potassium salt 2 Z with Ar = C₆H₄Bu^t-4; X = K(thf)₃, n = 2] was made from KCH(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂OMe)] (C) (via B) and 4-Bu^tC₆H₄CN. Treatment of 2 with 1,2-dibromoethane afforded 3 (Z with Ar = 4-Bu^tC₆H₄; X = H, n = 1); which when reacted with successively n-butyllithium and Me₃SiCl produced 4 (Z with Ar = 4-Bu^tC₆H₄, X = SiMe₃, n = 1). Compound 5 Z with Ar = 4-Bu^tC₆H₄, X = Li(hmpa)₂, n = 1] resulted from I with 4-Bu^tC₆H₄CN and then OP(NMe₂)₃ (≡ hmpa). Plausible reaction pathways from the appropriate alkali metal alkyl C or I to 2 or 5, respectively, are suggested; these involve regiospecific 1,3-migrations of SiMe₂OMe from C → N and electrocyclic loss of Me₃SiOMe or SiMe₂(OMe)₂, respectively. The X-ray structures of crystalline 1, 2 and 5 are presented.