The present invention provides a process for preparing a 5,6-dihydro-3H-pyrimidin-4-one derivatives which comprises the steps of (a) dehydrating a N-acyl beta amino acid in the presence of a dehydration agent and an organic solvent for a sufficient period of time and under suitable temperature and pressure conditions to form an oxazone (b) adding a carboxylic acid and a primary amine salt of a carboxylic acid to said oxazone to form a mixture, (c) distilling azeotropically said mixture for a suitable period of time and under suitable temperature and pressure conditions to substantially remove said dehydration agent and said organic solvent, and (d) heating the product of step (c) for a sufficient period of time and under suitable temperature and pressure conditions to form said pyrimidin derivatives.