A Highly Efficient Protocol for the Synthesis of N-Aryl Nucleobases Using Zinc Oxide in Ionic Liquids

A highly efficient and simple method for the synthesis of N-aryl derivatives of pyrimidine and purine nucleobases via N-arylation of nucleobases using zinc oxide in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([bmim]Br) under microwave as well as thermal conditions is described. In both conditions, the title compounds were produced in high to excellent yields and in short reaction times.