AN EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF 6-FORMYL-1,2-DIHYDRO-2-OXO-3-PYRIDINECARBOXYLIC ACID AND SOME CARBONYL DERIVATIVES OF IT AND ITS 6-ACETYL HOMOLOG

Starting with 1,1-dimethoxy-2-propanone (1), 6-formyl-1,2-dihydro-2-ox o-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (5a) has been prepared in large quantities by a highly efficient, 4-step synthesis. This compound, along with it s one carbon homologue, 6-acetyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarboxyli c acid (5b) has been reacted with several carbonyl derivative forming reagents to provide a series of side chains for beta-lactams. Among th ese carbon derivatives are styrylamides which were prepared from Witti g and Horner-Emmons reagents. The preparation of the phosphonium salts and phosphonate esters is also described.