Synthesis of furo[2,3-c]-2,7-naphthyridine derivatives via domino heterocyclization reaction

2-Amino-4-cyanomethyl-6-dialkylamino-3,5-pyridinedicarbonitriles were found to react with substituted oxiranes yielding 5,6-diamino-8-dialkylamino-1,2-dihydrofuro[2,3-c]-2,7-naphthyridine-9-carbonitriles. The oxirane ring was shown to be opened selectively from the unsubstituted side and further cyclization occurred with participation of 3-CN, but not 5-CN of the starting pyridines. The furonaphthyridines obtained were converted into 2-dialkylamino-5-methyl-9,10-dihydro-4H-furo[2,3-c]pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]-2,7-naphthyridine-1-carbonitriles and 2-dialkylamino-5,6,9,10-tetrahydro-4H-spiro{furo[2,3-c]pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]-2,7-naphthyridine-5,1′-cyclohexane}-1-carbonitriles by treatment with acetic anhydride and cyclohexanone, respectively. The structure of prepared compounds was confirmed unambiguously by X-ray crystallographic study.