Pyrido[2′1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5-c]isoquinoline and the alkylation of pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5-c]isoquinolin-5(6H)-one

The reaction of 2-aminopyridine, o-phthaldehydic acid and potassium cyanide gave pyrido2′,1′:2,3]imidazo4,5-c]isoquinolin-5(6H)-one, which upon treatment with propargylbromide, yielded both O and N alkylated products. 2-Aminopyridine, o-phthaldehyde and potassium cyanide gave 1-cyano-2-(2-pyridyl)isoindole which rearranged in acid to give the previously unreported parent pyrido2′,1′:2,3]imidazo4,5-c]isoquinole. Structures were confirmed using uv, ir, nmr and x-ray spectroscopy.