Direct synthesis of 4,4-disubstituted N-silyl-1,4-dihydropyridines

An unprecedented method for the preparation of 4,4-disubstituted 1,4-dihydropyridines is presented. It is based on the trapping reaction of 4-substitued N-silylpyridinium ions. When performed with dialkylmagnesium reagents, such as iPr₂Mg, silyl protected 4,4-disubstituted 1,4-dihydropyridines were obtained in up to quantitative yields. High 1,4-selectivity was found for sterically demanding nucleophiles, whereas small nucleophiles (Me₂Mg) tend to yield 1,2-addition-products. Grignard, dialkylzinc and organocopper reagents were found to give either no addition products or less favorable results. Reduction of the obtained 1,4-dihydropyridine with NaCNBH₃ in the presence of HCl, followed by treatment with tert-butyl dicarbonate provided the corresponding N-Boc protected piperidines with high yields.