Iron-catalyzed intermolecular cross-dehydrogenative C(sp)-H/C(sp)-H coupling of pyrimidine bearing 4-thiazolidinones with terminal alkynes.

A novel, simple and efficient protocol for the Fe-catalyzed, intermolecular cross-dehydrogenative coupling of pyrimidine bearing 4-thiazolidinones systems and terminal alkynes was established. This methodology offers a high yielding, straightforward, and one-pot approach towards the synthesis of alkynylated 4-thiazolidinones without prior activation of C(sp)-H and C(sp)-H. The results of control experiments indicated that this conversion might proceed via a radical process.