Table of contents

The published data on the Biginelli reaction are generalised and systematised. The major attention is focused on the publications of the last seven years. Possible reaction mechanisms and its application for the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one derivatives are considered. Examples of rare versions of this reaction are given.

Information on the methods of synthesis of 4-aryl- or 4-hetaryl-substituted pyridines developed in the recent years is discussed and generalised. Examples of the practical use of 4-(het)arylpyridine derivatives are given.

Kinetic aspects of formation of hyperbranched polymers by three-dimensional polymerisation, polycondensation, cyclotrimerisation, self-condensing vinyl polymerisation and proton transfer ionic polymerisation are considered. The last two mechanisms bear some features of polycondensation. The kinetic features of the polymerisation processes and their effect on the topological structure of hyperbranched polymers are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the dependence of critical conversion (gel point) on the kinetic conditions. Taking into account this dependence, the methods for shifting the gel point to higher degrees of conversion are analysed. Possible approaches to characterisation of the topological structures of hyperbranched polymers are discussed.