Synthesis of 4-methylthio-2(1H)-pyridone derivatives using ketene dithioacetals

Reaction of various active methylene compounds with ketene dithioacetals, bis(methylthio)methylenemalononitrile (1a) and bis(methylthio)methylenecyanoacetamide (1b) gave the corresponding 3-cyano-4-methylthio-2(1H)-pyridone derivatives. The transformation of 4-methylthio-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-carbonitrile in-to 4-methylthio-2(1H)-pyridone derivatives was also described.