Abstract
A novel and convenient synthesis of pyridoxine starting from N-(1-cyanoethyl) formamide is described. The reaction of N-(1-cyanoethyl) acylamides with olefins in the presence of an acid catalyst gave 3-amino-2-methylpyridines. Similar reaction of N-(1-cyanoethyl) formamide with fumaronitrile in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid afforded 5-amino-6-methylpyridine-3, 4-dicarbonitrile, which was easily converted to pyridoxine by reduction and diazotization.
