Quantum chemical and experimental studies on the mechanism of alkylation of beta-dicarbonyl compounds. The synthesis of five and six membered heterocyclic spiro derivatives.

The alkylation of beta-dicarbonyl compounds in a K2CO3/DMSO system was found to afford O- and C-alkylated derivatives, depending on the type of the beta-dicarbonyl compound involved. The alkyl derivatives obtained were used in the synthesis of some new spiro barbituric acid derivatives. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out to elucidate the reaction mechanisms for some typical synthesis.