Dakin-West trick in the design of novel 2-alkyl(aralkyl) derivatives of oxazolo[3,2-a]pyridines

A series of previously unavailable derivatives of 2-alkyl- and 2-benzylderivatives of oxazolo3,2-a]pyridines III were obtained via tandem ring opening and ring closure from stable mesoionic 3-acyloxazolo3,2-a]pyridinium-2-olates I. The key intermediates of this tandem transformation are N-(b-oxoethyl)pyridones-2 II obtained by Dakin-West acylation of (pyridone-2-yl-1)acetic acid. An example of further utilization of this strategy is illustrated by preparation of unknown 2-benzylimidazo1,2-a]pyridine from the salt I and ammonia.