Microwave-assisted Pd-catalyzed synthesis of fused steroidal and non-steroidal pyrimidines from β-halo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

A Pd-catalyzed protocol has been developed for the synthesis of fused steroidal and non-steroidal pyrimidines from β-halo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes under microwave irradiation. The β-halo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes are synthesized from corresponding ketones using Vilsmeier formylation reaction. This synthetic protocol is utilized to synthesize some more novel steroidal pyrimidine derivatives and are currently being evaluated for their biological activities.