Preparation of 5-alkyl-2-[(methylthiomethyl)thio]-6-(benzyl)-pyrimidin-4-(1H)-one derivatives 3a to 3d. Reagents and conditions: a, R2CHBrCOOEt/Zn/tetrahydrofuran; b, HCl (aqueous); c, (H2N)2CS-Na-ethanol; d, DMF, K2CO3, and chloromethyl methyl sulfide; 15 h. Me, methyl; Et, ethyl; i-Pr, isopropyl.