The cyclization of ester lb in Dowtherm A at 250 C has earlier been reported to afford the 1, 8- naphthyridine derivative 37 due to steric hindrance by the 6-methyl group. We have shown “, however, that even the thermal cyclization of lb leads to compound 2b as the primary product which, depending-on the reaction conditions, may transform into the 1, 8- naphthyridine derivative 3. On the other hand it has been claimed5 that the cyclization of ...