Malonic Acid → Ethyl 3-(6-methyl-3-pyridyl)propionate

Participants

Reaction Steps

3-(6-Methyl-3-pyridyl)propenoic acid, m.p. 213.5-215.5°, was prepared by reacting 6-methylpyridine-3-carboxaldehyde with malonic acid in pyridine with piperidine catalyst, and was converted into the corresponding ethyl ester m.p. 36°-37° which was reduced with hydrogen and palladium-on-charcoal catalyst to give ethyl 3-(6-methyl-3-pyridyl)-propionate (oil). This ester was reacted with sodium and ethyl formate and the product treated with thiourea to give 5-(6-methyl-3-pyridylmethyl)-2-thiouracil m.p. 240°-241° which was alkylated with methyl iodide in the presence of sodium hydroxide at 70° to give 5-(6-methyl-3-pyridylmethyl)-2-methylthio-4-pyrimidone, m.p. 197°-198.5°.

Provenance & Evidence