Pyrido[2′1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐<i>c</i>]isoquinoline and the alkylation of pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐<i>c</i>]isoquinolin‐5(6<i>H</i>)‐one

Abstract

Abstract The reaction of 2‐aminopyridine, o ‐phthaldehydic acid and potassium cyanide gave pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐ c ]isoquinolin‐5(6 H )‐one, which upon treatment with propargylbromide, yielded both O and N alkylated products. 2‐Aminopyridine, o ‐phthaldehyde and potassium cyanide gave 1‐cyano‐2‐(2‐pyridyl)isoindole which rearranged in acid to give the previously unreported parent pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐ c ]isoquinole. Structures were confirmed using uv, ir, nmr and x‐ray spectroscopy.