Functionalization of substituted 2(1H)-pyridones. V. The synthesis of 1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid derivatives through a novel dianion route

A new pyridone dianion was prepared by halogen-metal exchange from 5-bromo-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3-pyrid-inecarboxylic acid, t-butyl ester and two equivalents of n-butyllithium. This 1,5-dianion readily reacted at C₅ with electrophiles. Quenching with carbon dioxide gave the previously unreported 1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3,5-pyridine dicarboxylic acid, 3-t-butyl ester. The 5-carboxyl groups were selectively converted to the ethyl ester and the ethyl amide through the 5-imidazolide. The 3-t-butyl ester was easily removed from all derivatives with acid hydrolysis.