Synthesis and characterization of novel Schiff bases containing pyrimidine unit

The work involves synthesis of novel Schiff base derivatives containing a pyrimidine unit starting with chalcones. 4-Aminoacetophenone was reacted with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde or 4-chlorobenzaldehyde in basic medium giving chalcones, [I]a and [I]b, respectively, by Claisen-Schemidt reaction. The chalcones [I]a and [I]b were reacted with urea in HCl medium giving oxopyrimidines, [II]a and [II]b. They were also reacted with thiourea in basic medium to give thioxopyrimidines, [III]a and [III]b. The novel mono and bis Schiff bases, [VIII]na, [VIII]nb, [IX]na, [IX]nb, [X]na, [X]nb, [XI]na, and [XI]nb were synthesized by the reaction of pyrimidine derivatives; oxopyrimdines, [II]a and [II]b and thioxopyrimidines, [III]a and [III]b with 4-(4′-n-alkoxybenzoloxy)benzaldehyde [VI] and polymethylene-α,ω-bis-4-oxybenzaldehydes [VII]m, respectively, in dry benzene using drops of glacial acetic acid as a catalyst. The synthesized compounds were characterized by melting points, elemental analysis, FTIR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy.