Flexible strategy for differentially 3,5-disubstituted 4-oxypyridin-2(1H)-ones based on site-selective Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

3,5-Dihalogeno-4-methoxy-N-methylpyridin-2(1H)-ones have been shown to undergo single Suzuki coupling reactions in a site-selective fashion. Monoarylations occur at the C-5 position preferentially, thus leaving the remaining C-3 halide free for further functionalization, to finally access differentially 3,5-disubstituted 2-pyridones. This two-step strategy has been applied to the elaboration of the 3-acyl-5-aryl-4-oxy-2-pyridone subunit that is prevalent in numerous bioactive natural products. [reaction: see text].