Diastereoselective synthesis of 5-benzylthio- and 5-mercaptohexahydropyrimidin-2-ones

A three-stage diastereoselective synthesis of (4R∗,5R∗,6S∗)-5-mercapto-4-methyl-6-phenylhexahydropyrimidin-2-one has been developed. The synthesis includes the formation of 4-hydroxy-5-(4-methoxybenzylthio)-4-methyl-6-phenylhexahydropyrimidin-2-one followed by reduction and removal of the PMB protecting group.