Abstract 2-Hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-4-H-pyran-4-one (1) reacts with aniline and six aniline derivatives in very dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid at reflux temperature to give the N-aryl-γ- pyridone. A second procedure utilizes the aromatic amine hydrochloride by reacting it with 1 in aqueous medium at reflux temperature. pN itroaniline hydrochloride and 1 give the N-aryl- γ-pyridone in 65% yield, as opposed to 12% from the dilute acid procedure.
