Palladium-catalyzed direct 5-arylation of 1,3-dimethyluracil with aryl bromides: an electrophilic metalation–deprotonation with electrophilic arylpalladium intermediate

An efficient method of palladium-catalyzed direct 5-arylation of 1,3-dimethyluracil was developed with a various range of aryl bromides including electron-deficient aryl bromides. 5-Aryluracil derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields regioselectively most likely via an electrophilic metalation–deprotonation process.