REACTIONS OF 3,3,3-TRIFLUOROPYRUVATES WITH AMIDINES - NEW TRIFLUOROMETHYL-SUBSTITUTED HETEROCYCLIC BUILDING-BLOCKS

4-Hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl-2-imidazolin-5-ones are obtained in good yields upon reaction of 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvates with amidines. Subsequent treatment of these heterocycles with thionyl chloride gives 4-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-2-imidazolin-5-ones which proved to be versatile trifluoromethyl substituted building blocks. Substitution of chloride is feasible with a variety of hetero and carbon nucleophiles. Ring expansion with diazo compounds affords trifluoromethyl substituted pyrimidines.