An improved synthesis and some reactions of diethyl 4-oxo-4H-pyran-2,5-dicarboxylate

The reaction of ethyl 2-(dimethylamino)methylene-3-oxobutanoate with diethyl oxalate in the presence of sodium hydride in THF gave diethyl 4-oxo-4H-pyran-2,5-dicarboxylate, from which 4-oxo-4H-pyran-2,5-dicarboxylic and 4-oxo-1-phenyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives were obtained in good yields.