Streptonigrin and related compounds. I. Some 2-phenyl- and 2,2-pyridylquinoline-5,8-diones

Methods for the synthesis of 6-amino-7-methoxy- and 7-amino-6-methoxy-2,2-pyridylquinoline- 5,8-diones and the corresponding 2-phenylquinoline-5,8-diones are described. The 6-aminoquinone system was generated by direct amination with sodium azide and the 7-aminoquinone system via the novel 6-hydroxy-7-nitroquinone intermediates. The basic skeleton was derived by the application of the Friedlander quinoline synthesis.