Process for preparing certain 1-lower alkanoyl or benzoyl-4-(lower alkanoyl or benzoyl-methylidene)-1,4-dihydropyridines or acid addition salts thereof

摘要

There is described a novel process for preparing 4-pyridinylmethyl ketones of formula (I) <IMAGE> (I) wherein R is alkyl, aryl or aralkyl. The process involves hydrolysis of a compound <IMAGE> generated by reaction of an acylating agent with 4-methylpyridine. The acylating agent may be selected from compounds of formula R-CO-X and R-CO-O-CO-R where R is as defined above and X represents halogen. Compounds of formula I have utility in the preparation of a variety of products, including pharmaceutically active 1,2-dihydro-6-R-2-oxo-5 pyridinyl compounds.