Abstract
3-Acetoacetyl-4,6-diaryl-2-pyridones are synthesized in three steps from chalcones and then condense with carbon disulfide to afford 8-azachromones containing a methylthio group at C2. This leaving group offers an entry point for the insertion of more complex moieties via nucleophilic substitution. For this purpose, N-nucleophiles are explored according to their positions in the Mayr's nucleophilicity scale (N parameter), and three main classes are distinguished depending on whether the substitution takes place from their neutral forms, from their deprotonated anionic forms, or under nucleophilic catalysis. A broad range of primary and secondary amines may be inserted by this method, including enantiomerically pure amino acids, enabling us to explore structural diversity.