Diastereoselective synthesis of 3,6-disubstituted 3,6-dihydropyridin-2-ones

In a short sequence, 5-vinyloxazolidin-2-ones were converted into the 3,6-disubstituted 3,6-dihydropyridin-2-ones via Pd-catalysed carbonylation and enolate alkylation with high diastereoselectivity. Alkylation of 6-substituted N-methylpyridin-2-ones gives stereoselectively the 3,6-anti diastereoisomer with MeI, BuI and i-PrI. Alkylation of the corresponding N-BOC pyridinones gives the 3,6-syn diastereoisomer with high selectivity.