Ring transformations of 4H-pyrans. Pyridines from 2-amino-4H-pyrans

Ring transformations of 4H-pyrans into pyridines are reported. Treatment of 2-amino-4,6-diaryl-3,5-dicyano-4H-pyrans (I) with nitrosylsulfuric acid brings about their transformation into 3,5-dicyano-4,6-diaryl-2-pyridones (VI) which can also be obtained from α-benzoylcinnamonitriles (IX) and cyanoacetamide. Similarly, 2-amino-4,6-diaryl-5-carbethoxy-3-cyano-4H-pyrans (II) lead to 4,6-diaryl-5-carbethoxy-3-cyano-2-pyridones (VII). Treatment of both series of pyrans with sulfuric acid results in the formation of the corresponding 3,4-dihydro-2-pyridones (IV and V). Reaction of pyrans II with ammonium acetate in acetic acid yields 2-amino-4,6-diaryl-5-carbethoxy-3-cyanopyridines (XII). Pyrans I undergo an entirely different type of reaction upon treatment with this reagent leading to 2,4,6-triaryl-3,5-dicyano-1,4-dihydropyridines (XV).