More recently products of the Biginelli reaction have been investigated as potential selective Adenosine A2b receptor antagonists.[12] Including highly selective tricyclic compounds.[13]
The reaction mechanism of the Biginelli reaction is a series of bimolecular reactions leading to the desired dihydropyrimidinone.[14]
According to a mechanism proposed by Sweet in 1973 the aldol condensation of ethylacetoacetate 1 and the aryl aldehyde is the rate-limiting step leading to the carbenium ion 2. The nucleophilic addition of urea gives the intermediate 4, which quickly dehydrates to give the desired product 5.[15]
This mechanism is superseded by one by Kappe in 1997:
This scheme begins with rate determining nucleophilic addition by the urea to the aldehyde.[16][17] The ensuing condensation step is catalyzed by the addition of acid, resulting in the imine nitrogen. The β-ketoester then adds to the imine bond and consequently the ring is closed by the nucleophilic attack by the amine onto the carbonyl group. This final step ensues a second condensation and results in the Biginelli compound.
In 1987, Atwal et al.[18][19] reported a modification to the Biginelli reaction that consistently generated higher yields.
Atul Kumar has reported first enzymatic synthesis for Biginelli reaction via yeast catalysed protocol in high yields.[20] The reaction has also been reported via green methodologies.[21]
^Kappe, C. Oliver (2005) "The Biginelli Reaction", in: J. Zhu and H. Bienaymé (eds.): Multicomponent Reactions, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, ISBN978-3-527-30806-4.
^Hu, E. H.; Sidler, D. R.; Dolling, U.-H. (1998). "Unprecedented Catalytic Three Component One-Pot Condensation Reaction: An Efficient Synthesis of 5-Alkoxycarbonyl- 4-aryl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones". J. Org. Chem.63 (10): 3454. doi:10.1021/jo970846u.
^Wipf, P.; Cunningham, A. (1995). "A solid phase protocol of the biginelli dihydropyrimidine synthesis suitable for combinatorial chemistry". Tetrahedron Lett.36 (43): 7819–7822. doi:10.1016/0040-4039(95)01660-A.
^Kappe, C. O. (2000). "Highly versatile solid phase synthesis of biofunctional 4-aryl-3,4-dihydropyrimidines using resin-bound isothiourea building blocks and multidirectional resin cleavage". Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.10 (1): 49–51. doi:10.1016/S0960-894X(99)00572-7. PMID10636241.
^Rovnyak, G. C.; Atwal, K. S.; Hedberg, A.; Kimball, S. D.; Moreland, S.; Gougoutas, J. Z.; O'Reilly, B. C.; Schwartz, J.; Malley, M. F. (1992). "Dihydropyrimidine calcium channel blockers. 4. Basic 3-substituted-4-aryl-1,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid esters. Potent antihypertensive agents". J. Med. Chem.35 (17): 3254–3263. doi:10.1021/jm00095a023. PMID1387168.
^Folkers, K.; Johnson, T. B. (1933). "Researches on Pyrimidines. CXXXVI. The Mechanism of Formation of Tetrahydropyrimidines by the Biginelli Reaction1". J. Am. Chem. Soc.55 (9): 3784–3791. doi:10.1021/ja01336a054.
^Sweet, F.; Fissekis, J. D. (1973). "Synthesis of 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinones and the mechanism of the Biginelli reaction". J. Am. Chem. Soc.95 (26): 8741–8749. doi:10.1021/ja00807a040.
^Folkers, K.; Harwood, H. J.; Johnson, T. B. (1932). "Researches on Pyrimidines. Cxxx. Synthesis of 2-Keto-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydropyrimidines". J. Am. Chem. Soc.54 (9): 3751–3758. doi:10.1021/ja01348a040.
^Kappe, C.O. (1997). "A Reexamination of the Mechanism of the Biginelli Dihydropyrimidine Synthesis. Support for anN-Acyliminium Ion Intermediate1". J. Org. Chem.62 (21): 7201–7204. doi:10.1021/jo971010u. PMID11671828.