Transition-metal-free four-component reaction of nitriles and disulfides/diselenides.

One-pot synthesis of structurally diverse sulfurized/selenated 4-aminopyrimidines has been reported via t -BuOK/K 2 S 2 O 8 -promoted four-component reaction of mixed nitriles and disulfides/diselenides. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds through radical and ionic pathways, and an alkenyl sulfide serves as a key intermediate.