Heterocyclizations with tosylmethyl isocyanide derivatives. A new approach to substituted azolopyrimidines.

An efficient synthesis of substituted azolopyrimidines such as pyrido[3',2':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2-c]pyrimidines, pyrimido[1,6-a]indoles, benzo[4,5]imidazo-[1,2-c]pyrimidines, an imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidine, and pyrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines is described. The method involves the reaction of N-protected bromomethylazoles and tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) derivatives in nonanhydrous media. The study of the reaction conditions shows that the method is only successful under phase-transfer conditions (CH2Cl2/30% aq NaOH) using benzyltriethylammonium chloride as a catalyst.