3-Methoxy-2-methyl-1H-pyridin-4-one

In a 250 mL single-necked flask, maltol (7.56 g, 60 mmol), acetone (100 mL), and iodomethane (9.37 g, 66 mmol) were added. The mixture was heated under reflux for 6 hours. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated, and the solution was dissolved in 100 mL of water. The mixture was extracted four times with dichloromethane (50 mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to give 2-methyl-3-methoxypyranone. Yield: 98%. In another 250 mL single-necked flask, the pyranone obtained in the above reaction (8.65 g, 40 mmol), 25% ammonia (60 mL), and ethanol (50 mL) were added. The mixture was heated under reflux at 75 °C for 12 hours. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated, and a brown oily liquid was obtained. Recrystallization from acetone/ethyl acetate gave a pale yellow solid, 3-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-pyridin-4-one. Yield: 75%.