A facile tandem Michael addition/O-cyclization/elimination route to novel chromeno[3,2-c]pyridines.

A facile and efficient synthesis of a library of novel chromeno[3,2-c]pyridines has been achieved from the reaction of various 3,5-((E)-arylidene)-1-alkylpiperidin-4-ones and cyclic 1,3-diketones. The reaction presumably occurred via tandem Michael addition-intramolecular O-cyclization-elimination sequence in a single operation.