Heterocycles. Part V. Reaction of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with arylacetamides. A synthesis of 2-pyridone derivatives

The reaction of 1,3-diaryl-2-propene-1-ones I with arylacetamides II, in the presence of sodium ethoxide under reflux, for two hours, gave the corresponding 3,4,6-triaryl-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-pyridones IV. However, when the reaction of these ketones was carried out in the presence of sodium hydride, they gave the corresponding 3,4,6-triaryl-2(1H)-pyridones VI or a mixture of IV and VI. When 1,3-diaryl-2-propyne-1-ones V were reacted with arylacetamides, in the presence of sodium hydride, they yielded the corresponding 2-pyridones VI. Treatment of compounds IV with selenium produced the corresponding 2-pyridones VI. Acetylation of the latter compounds gave the corresponding 2-acetyl derivatives VIII. The structure of all products was confirmed by chemical and spectroscopic evidence, and the mechanism of the reactions was discussed.