Potassium peroxodisulfate: A convenient oxidizing agent for aromatization of 1,4-dihydropyridines

Abstract

A series of 13 different 4-substituted 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-diethoxycarbonyl)-1,4-dihydropyridines have been oxidized to pyridine derivatives by potassium peroxodisulfate in dry and wet acetonitrile solution at reflux condition. Formation of two kinds of products has been observed depending on the type of 4-substituent. Addition of water affects only the rate of oxidation.