A new and convenient method for synthesis of barbituric acid derivatives

In continuation of our current studies on the reaction between isocyanides and electron-defficient alkenes, we would like to report our recent reseaarch on synthesizing novel derivatives of barbituric acid. The reaction of alkylidene-substituted Meldrum’s acid with alkyl isocyanides in the presence of urea led to the production of the corresponding 2-(hexahydro-2,4,6-trioxopyrimidin- 5-yl)-N,2-dimethylpropanamide in good to high yields. The structure of the products was in agreement with their spectroscopic data.