| abstract |
Process for preparing 4,6-dimethoxy-2-(methylsulfonyl)-1,3-pyrimidine by reacting 4,6dichloro-2-(methyltio)-1,3-pyrimidine in an inert organic solvent with an alkali metal methoxide, transfer of the resulting 4,6-dimethoxy-2-(methylthio)-1,3-pyrimidine into an aqueous-acidic medium and subsequent oxidation of this compound, of appropriate in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the oxidation is followed by a purification step in which the aqueous-acidic reaction mixture is adjusted with aqueous base to a pH in the range of 5-8 and stirred either in the presence or in the absence of an organic solvent, and the use of this compound for preparing herbicides, for example 7-[(4,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-yl)thio]-3-methylphthalide. |