Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2025
![[DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F59739.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
[DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst
Published on: May 21, 2019
Catalyst- and Base-Free Synthesis of Pyridine-Fused Uracils from 6-Methyluracils, Aldehydes, and Ammonium Iodide via
Jiaoling Li1, Kang Liu1, Sichen Xu1
1School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
A novel multicomponent strategy for the efficient formation of pyridine-fused uracils from 6-methyluracils, aldehydes, and ammonium iodide has been developed. This protocol employs ammonium iodide as an environmentally friendly nitrogen source and requires no additional catalysts or bases while providing excellent yields, high atom economy, and broad functional group compatibility.
Related Concept Videos
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Elimination–Addition
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists...
Acidity of 1-Alkynes
The acidic strength of hydrocarbons follows the order: Alkynes > Alkenes > Alkanes. The strength of an acid is commonly expressed in units of pKa — the lower the pKa, the stronger the acid. Among the hydrocarbons, terminal alkynes have lower pKa values and are, therefore, more acidic. For example, the pKa values for ethane, ethene, and acetylene are 51, 44, and 25, respectively, as shown here.
Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.

