Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-c]2,7-naphthyridine derivatives by cascade heterocyclization reaction of 2-amino-4-cyanomethyl-6-dialkylamino-3,5-pyridinedicarbonitriles

Alkylation of the title pyridinedicarbonitriles with N-substituted chloroacetamides was found to give 5,6-diamino-8-dialkylamino-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-pyrrolo2,3-c]2,7-naphthyridine-9-carbonitriles. The structure of obtained compounds was unambiguously confirmed by X-ray crystallographic study. The heterocyclization reaction proceeded regioselectively involving 3-CN group of the starting pyridines without participation of 5-CN. The reasons of the selectivity were discussed. An interaction of prepared naphthyridine derivatives with acetic acid anhydride and cyclohexanone yielded 2-dialkylamino-6,8,9,10-tetrahydro-5-methyl-9-oxopyrimido4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo2,3-c]2,7-naphthyridine-1-carbonitriles and 2-dialkylamino-4,5,6,8,9,10-hexahydro-9-oxospiro{pyrimido4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo2,3-c]2,7-naphthyridine-5,1′-cyclohexane}-1-carbonitriles, respectively. All fused 2,7-naphthyridines obtained were derivatives of novel heterocyclic systems.