The compound 4-hydroxypyridine is reacted with aromatic substrates that hav
e a leaving group (usually halogen) and that is activated by an electron-wi
thdrawing group or a heterocycle. Only N-aryl-4(1H)-pyridones are produced
in this efficient aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction. Some mechani
stic aspects of the reaction have also been examined. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci
ence Ltd. All rights reserved.