Pyrimidin4ol

Pyrimidin-4-ol, also known as 4-hydroxypyrimidine or 4(3H)-pyrimidinone, is a heterocyclic organic compound with the chemical formula C4H4N2O. It is a derivative of pyrimidine, a six-membered aromatic ring containing two nitrogen atoms at positions 1 and 3. In pyrimidin-4-ol, a hydroxyl group is attached to the carbon atom at position 4 of the pyrimidine ring. This compound exists in tautomeric equilibrium with its keto form, 4(3H)-pyrimidinone, where a hydrogen atom has migrated from the oxygen to one of the nitrogen atoms. This tautomerism influences its chemical properties and reactivity.

Pyrimidin-4-ol is a colorless solid and is soluble in water and polar organic solvents. It is a weakly acidic compound due to the hydroxyl group. Its synthesis can be achieved through various chemical routes, often involving the cyclization of appropriate precursors. It serves as a building block in organic synthesis and is of interest in medicinal chemistry due to its structural similarity to nucleobases found in DNA and RNA. Derivatives of pyrimidin-4-ol have been explored for potential biological activities, including antiviral and anticancer properties. Understanding its tautomeric forms and reactivity is crucial for its application in various chemical and biological contexts.