An unusual oxidation–dealkylation of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones mediated by Co(NO3)2·6H2O/K2S2O8 in aqueous acetonitrile

4-Aryl-6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one (DHPM) scaffolds of Biginelli type were oxidized using Co(II)/S2O82− and the reaction afforded 6-unsubstituted pyrimidin-2(1H)-ones through an unprecedented dealkylation process. 4-Alkyl DHPMs under similar conditions afforded yet another unusual product, ethyl tetrahydropyrimidin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione-5-carboxylate.