Isomerizations akin to the Dimroth rearrangement. IV. Formation of simple s-Triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines via their [4,3-c] isomers

Abstract

Pyrimidin-4-ylhydrazines and simple orthoesters are used in combination (1) to give N-ethoxyalkyl-idene-N'-pyrimidinylhydrazines (2) and thence s-triazolo[4,3-c]pyrimidine (3a) and its 3-, 5-, 7- or 8-alkylated derivatives (3b-s). In glacial acetic acid, these undergo rearrangement into the corresponding s-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines (5) via the acylaminoalkenyltriazoles (4); in aqueous buffers, these reactions stop at the triazoles (4) except in the presence of a 7-methyl group which stimulates completion of the sequence. The ring-fission step, (3) → (4), is retarded markedly by 5- and/or 8-methyl groups but accelerated slightly by 3- and/or 7-alkyl groups; the slower ring-fission of triazolo[1,5-c]-pyrimidines (5) to the same triazoles (4) is retarded by 2-, 5- or 8-alkylation and precluded totally by a 7-methyl group. The recorded u.v. and N.M.R. spectra afford a ready means of distinguishing between the systems (3)-(5).