Synthesis of 1,2,4‐Triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidine Derivatives by Cyclocondensation of a 2‐Thioxopyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one with Hydrazonoyl Halides

The reaction of 1,2‐dihydro‐6‐(phenylamino)‐2‐thioxopyrimidin‐4(3H)one (16) with N‐arylhydrazonoyl halides 15 in CHCl3 in the presence of Et3N under reflux afforded the corresponding 1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidin‐5‐ones of type 20 in good yields (Scheme 3). The structure of one of the derivatives, 20d, has been established by X‐ray crystallography. Conceivable reaction mechanisms are discussed in Schemes 3 and 4. The products of type 20 easily undergo reactions with electrophiles such as benzenediazonium chloride, chloroacetyl chloride, and NaNO2 in AcOH to give 6‐phenylazo, 6‐chloroacetyl, and 6‐nitroso derivatives 21, 23, and 25, respectively (Scheme 5).