Lewis acid catalyzed dimerization of 2-aminopyrimidine: Synthesis and X-ray structures

Reaction of 2-aminopyrimidine with HBr and CoBr2 in aqueous solution led to dimerization of the pyrimidine and formation of a new heterotricyclic dication. The material has been characterized by IR spectroscopy, combustion analysis and X-Ray diffraction. Subsequent experiments show that the dimerization also occurs in the absense of CoBr2, although more slowly. The same tricyclic product was isolated as the bromide salt and characterized by IR spectroscopy, combustion analysis and X-Ray diffraction.