Abstract: A new method for preparing 3, 6-dialkyl-(and-diaryl-) 2-pyridones is reported (Scheme 11). Secondary propargylic alcohols are condensed with 1-cyanopyrrolidine to yield pseudoureas 1, which are directly rearranged in refluxing xylene to afford 3, 6- disubstituted 2-pyridones 2. This experimentally simple method is illustrated with nine examples, and the overall yields range from 12 to 79%. This method is most successful ( ...