Synthesis of substituted pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines from 2-arylmethylidene-3-fluoroalkyl-3-oxopropionates

Cyclocondensation of 2-arylmethylidene-3-fluoroalkyl-3-oxopropionates with 2-aminopyridine occurs at both the polyfluoroacylvinyl and alkoxycarbonylvinyl fragments to give alkyl 4-aryl-2-polyfluoroalkyl-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylates and 4-aryl-2-hydroxy-3polyfluoroacyl-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines, respectively. When treated with copper(II) acetate, the pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines yield metal complexes.