6- And 7-Substituted 4H-Pyrido[1,2-a] pyrimidin-4-ones. Synthesis via the Acid-catalyzed Isomerization of 2-(Acetoacetamido)pyridines

A novel procedure has been developed for converting a variety of substituted 2-(aceto-acetamido)pyridines into substituted 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones. The reaction involves an acid-catalyzed isomerization of the 2-(acetoacetamido)pyridine derivatives into the corresponding enamines, under conditions that permit the latter to undergo cyclization to the 4-one, in situ. The method has been employed to prepare a number of hitherto unknown 2,6- and 2,7-di- and 2,7,9-trisubstituted 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones.