Catalyst-free multicomponent synthesis of novel adamantyl-containing tetrahydropyrimidine carboxylates.

[Formula: see text]-Enaminoesters were generated in situ by the reaction of aliphatic or aromatic primary amines to electron-deficient alkynes, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, and methyl propiolate. [Formula: see text]-Enaminoesters thus formed were reacted with 1-adamantanamine and formaldehyde in methanol to give novel molecular hybrids: dimethyl 3-((3s,5s,7s)-adamantan-1-yl)-1-(alkyl/aralkyl/aryl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5,6-dicarboxylates (5a-j) and methyl 3-((3s,5s,7s)-adamantan-1-yl)-1-(alkyl/aralkyl/aryl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylates (9a-j). The structures of the molecular hybrids have been established based on the spectral and analytical data. Structural confirmation of the products was done by X-ray crystallography of 5d as a representative product of the series.