Efficient Synthesis of N-[(2-Hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-2-alkyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone by a Modified Hilbert-Johnson Reaction

Ethyleneglycol derivatives of 2-methyl (and ethyl)-3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone were synthesized by a modified Hilbert-Johnson reaction. The synthesis proceedes by reaction of O-protected 2-alkyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone with hexamethyldisilazane in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane followed by trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate catalized alkylation with benzyloxy-ethoxymethylchloride in dichloroethane and deprotection by hydrogenation. The overall yield was 87%. This method provides a useful way to produce oligo- or polyethyleneglycol substituted hydroxypyridinones.