Synthesis and Reactions of 4-Chloro-1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarbonitrile

I he chlorination of 1,2-dihydro-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarbonitrile (2) with a mixture of POCl 3 and PCl 5 in CHCl 3 gave 4-chloro-1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarbonitrile (3) in good yield. Compound (3) reacted with alkyl- and arylamines to give the corresponding 4-alkylamino- and 4-arylamino-3-pyridinecarbonitriles (6 and 7).