Re-cyclization of 3-(E)-methyl 3-(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)acrylate with amines and their potential mechanism

The synthesis of 2-pyridone derivatives from different substituted amines and various 3-(E)-methyl 3-(4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)acrylate derivatives was proposed and described. The optimized reaction conditions and the generality of the reaction were investigated, respectively. Moreover, less side products could be formed than the traditional method. Finally, based on the fact that (E)-methyl 2-(7-methoxy-4-oxo-3-((phenylamino)methylene)chroman-2-yl)acetate was separated and determined via X-ray single crystal diffraction, we could propose an interesting and reasonable reaction mechanism for the first time. The reaction could render this method particularly attractive for the efficient preparation of biologically and medicinally interesting molecules.