Synthesis of pyrimidine analogs of 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol antiinflammatory agents

The preparation of pyrimidine analogs of the 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol antiinflammatory agents Prifelone (R-830), Tebufelone (NE-11740) and Ym-13,162 is described. Grignard addition to the N-methoxy-N-methylamide derived from 4,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-hydroxy-2-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid yielded a series of 2-pyrimidinyl ketones. Further elaboration of an ethyl ketone and cyclization with sodium cyanate gave a pyrimidinylimidazole.