Synthesis of 1-(1,3-dialkyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-imidazo-[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]pyridin-5-yl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acids

Nitration of 2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo4,5-b]pyridin-2-one gave its 5-nitro derivative which was subjected to alkylation with dimethyl sulfate, diethyl sulfate, and benzyl(dimethyl)phenylammonium chloride. The resulting 1,3-dimethyl-, 1,3-diethyl-, and 1,3-dibenzyl-5-nitro-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo4,5-b]pyridin-2-ones were reduced to the corresponding 1,3-dialkyl-5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo4,5-b]pyridin-2-ones, and the latter reacted with itaconic acid to produce 1-(1,3-dialkyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo4,5-b]pyridin-5-yl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acids. 1-(2-Oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo4,5-b]pyridin-5-yl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid was obtained by analogous reaction with 5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo4,5-b]-pyridin-2-one.