Synthesis of thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridines via an unusual Mannich-type cyclization

The Mannich-type reaction of N-methylmorpholinium 4-aryl-3-cyano-6-oxo-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-2-thiolates with 3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-methylpropanal (ocean propanal) and p-toluidine afforded 7-aryl-2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-3-[(4-methylphenyl)amino]-5-oxo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridine-8-carbonitriles in modest (25–46%) yields. The structure of the key compound was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis.