Syntheses of 2-aryl-6-methyl-2,3-dihydra-1H-pyridin-4-ones were achieved st
arting from corresponding beta-aryl-amino acids. This reaction sequence inv
olved, as a key step, the condensation of an acid chloride with a diketone
using SmI3 as catalyst. A final intramolecular cyclization furnished the at
tempted product. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.