Synthesis of ferrocenyl-β-enamino ketones: A search of ferrocenylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines using a Ni(CN)2/NaOH/KCN system as catalytic precursor

New ferrocenyl-β-enamino ketones (1-6), were obtained by the reaction of 6-amino-1,3-dimethyluracil with several ferrocenyl-α-ketoalkynes at 55 °C. A mechanism for the synthesis of β-enamino ketones is suggested. Methylamide anion formation in a monophasic aqueous system containing Ni(CN)2/CO/NaOH/H2O/KCN is described.