Reaction of 2-(2-oxo-2-arylethylidene)-2,3-dihydropyrimidine-4(1H)-ones with aldehydes

2-(2-Oxo-2-arylethylidene)-2,3-dihydropyrimidine-4(1H)-ones react with aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes to form the unsaturated ketones, whereas in the case of 3- and 4-benzaldehydes the corresponding trans-2-styrylpyrimidine-4(3H)-ones were obtained. A possible mechanism of hydrolytic cleavage of the product of condensation of 2-(2-oxo-2-phenylethylidene)-2,3-dihydropyrimidine-4(1H)-one with paraformaldehyde under acid catalysis and mechanochemical activation has been discussed.