Practical synthesis of 3-bromo-5,6-dihydropyridin-2-ones via β,γ-unsaturated α-bromo-ketene/imine cycloaddition

An approach to 3-bromo-4-alkyl-6-aryl-5,6-dihydropyridin-2-ones and 3-bromo-5-ethyl-6-aryl-5,6-dihydropyridin-2-ones starting from β,γ-unsaturated α-bromoketenes and imines is reported. The presence of a bromine atom on the double bond allows performing aziridination or bromine displacement with an amine. The reaction gave fused bicyclic N-allyl-aziridines or 3-amino-substituted 5,6-dihydropyridin-2-ones, depending on the substituents on the six-membered ring.