Transformation of methyl N-methyl-N-(6-substituted-5-nitro-4-pyrimidinyl)aminoacetates into 4-methylamino-5-nitrosopyrimidines and 9-methylpurin-8-ones

N-Methyl-N-(6-substituted-5-nitro-4-pyrimidinyl)aminoacetic acid methyl esters under the treatment of sodium alkoxides, depending on the nature of substituents in 6 position of the pyrimidine ring, undergo ring closure and rearrangement to give 6-substituted-4-methylamino-5-nitrosopyrimidines or 9-methylpurin-8-ones.