Recyclization of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives in acidic medium

The recyclization of 1,4-dihydropyridines in aqueous-alcoholic hydrochloric acid medium proceeds with cleavage of a C-N bond and pyridine ring opening. Cyclohexenone derivatives are formed as a result of the subsequent intramolecular crotonic condensation of the acyclic intermediate. The leaving carbonyl substituents depart simultaneously with recyclization, depending on the acidity of the reaction medium. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. E. Lukevics on the occasion of his 70th birthday. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 49–58, January, 2007.