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).