Minisci alkylations of electron-deficient pyrimidines with alkyl carboxylic acids

A practical method for the Minisci reaction of electron-deficient pyrimidines with carboxylic acids is described. The one-step protocol allows for the alkylation of halo- and trifluoromethyl pyrimidines with a variety of readily available alkyl and (hetero)cycloalkyl carboxylic acids. These conditions permitted the facile synthesis of substituted pyrimidines, which are poised for further elaboration through divergent means.