Molecular Diversity via Tetrasubstituted Alkenes Containing a Barbiturate Motif: Synthesis and Biological Activity.

The synthesis of a molecularly diverse library of tetrasubstituted alkenes containing a barbiturate motif is described. Base-induced condensation of -substituted pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5)-triones with 5-(bis(methylthio)methylene)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione gave 3-substituted 5-(methylthio)-2-pyrano[2,3-]pyrimidine-2,4,7(1,3)-triones ('pyranopyrimidinones'), regioselectively. A sequence of reactions involving ring-opening of the pyran moiety, displacement of the methylthio group with an amine, re-formation of the pyran ring, and after its final cleavage with an amine, gave tetrasubstituted alkenes (3-amino-3-(2,4,6-trioxotetrahydropyrimidin-5(2)-ylidene)propanamides) with a diversity of substituents. Cleavage of the pyranopyrimidinones with an aniline was facilitated in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol under microwave irradiation. Compounds were tested against , , the yeast and the pathogenic fungus . No compounds exhibited activity against , whilst one compound was weakly active against . Three compounds were strongly active against , but none was active against .