Tandem directed lithiations of N-Boc-1,2-dihydropyridines toward highly functionalized 2,3-dihydro-4-pyridones

[chemical reaction: see text]. Sequential tandem directed lithiations of an N-Boc-4-methoxy-1,2-dihydropyridine have been achieved, leading to C-5,C-6 disubstituted dihydropyridones on acidic workup. The chlorine atom of the dihydropyridone products can in turn be substituted giving rise to diverse substituents at C-6.