An effective contribution to functionalized pyridines synthesis by way of an unusual rearrangement of amidines

A new synthesis of 2-pyridineacetamides was developed starting from pyran-2-one N-functionalized amidines 4. Secondary amines reacted in a sealed tube with amidines 4 and, by nucleophilic attack on pyran-2-one nucleus and thermal rearrangement, afforded exclusively the 2-pyridineacetamide derivatives 6 or a mixture of amide compounds 6 and 7 depending on the substituents linked to C-α of the starting amidine 4.