Cardiotonic agents. 2. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships in a new class of 6-, 7-, and 8-pyridyl-2(1H)-quinolone derivatives.

A series of 6-, 7-, and 8-pyridyl-2(1H)-quinolone derivatives with various quinolone substitutents (CH3, Cl, OH, OCH3) was prepared by arylation of pyridine with quinolone via a diazotized aminoquinolone for positive inotropic activity. Several derivatives, especially those with a pyridyl ring in the 6-position, were from 28 to 50 times more potent on left guinea pig atria than ARL-115 and milrinone used as references. Intrinsic activities of the derivatives were almost equivalent to that of ARL-115. These results indicate that pyridyl-2(1H)-quinolone derivatives are a potent new class of positive inotropic agents.