Synthesis of pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-ones. Cyclization reaction of 4-[(3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)amino]-2-phenyl-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid with acetic anhydride

Treatment of 4-[(3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)amino]-2-phenyl-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid (X) with acetic anhydride under refluxing conditions afforded 10-hydroxy-2-phenyl-5H-pyrido[1,2-a]-pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-one acetate (IX). The intermediate X was prepared from 4-chloro-2-phenyl-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (V). The reaction of V with the sodium salt of 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine at room temperature gave 4-(2-amino-3-pyridyloxy)-2-phenyl-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (VI). Treatment of VI with a hot aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and subsequent acidification gave X. Involvement of 4-[(3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)amino]-2-phenyl-5-pyrimidinecaroboxylic acid ethyl ester (VIII) (Smiles rearrangement product) as an intermediate in the above alkaline hydrolysis reaction of VI to X was demonstrated by the isolation of VIII and its subsequent conversion into X under alkaline hydrolysis conditions. Acetylation of VIII with acetic anhydride in pyridine solution gave 4-[(3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)amino]-2-phenyl-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester acetate (XI), which afforded IX on fusion at 220°. This alternative synthesis of IX from XI supported the structural assignment of IX. Fusion of VI gave 10-hydroxy-2-phenyl-5H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimido]4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-one (VII). The latter was also obtained when VIII was fused at 210°. Acetylation of VII with acetic anhydride afforded IX.