| abstract |
The invention resides in a process for preparing cardiotonically active 1,2-dihydro-6-(lower-alkyl)-2-oxo-5-(pyridinyl)nicotinonitriles (III) which comprises reacting a pyridinylmethyl lower-alkyl ketone (I) with tri-(lower-alkyl) orthoformate, acetic anhydride and acetic acid to produce 2-(lower-alkoxy)-1-(pyridinyl)ethenyl lower-alkyl ketone (II) and then reacting II with malononitrile in a lower-alkanol, where pyridinyl is 4- or 3-pyridinyl or 4- or 3-pyridinyl having one or two lower-alkyl substituents. |