3,4-trans-4-Aryl-3-(1-pyridinio)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine-6-thiolates 6-11 were prepared by a Michael reaction of N-acetonylpyridinium chloride with 3-aryl-2-cyanothioacrylamides or by a one-pot three-carbon condensation of N-acetonylpyridinium chloride, aromatic aldehyde and 2-cyanothioacetamide, and their cardiotonic properties were studied. 3,4-trans-5-cyano-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3-(1-pyridinio)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine-6-thiolate 8 was considered as a lead compound in this series since it in vitro experiments (spontaneously beating rat atria) showed a cardiotonic activity similar to that of milrinone 2, however compound 8 induced activity at lover concentrations and without influence on chronotropic action of the heart. Unlike milrinone 2, thiolate 8 in vivo experiments (anaesthetized rats) did not influence blood pressure and heart rate. The acute toxicity of compound 8 was more than 10 times lower than that of milrinone 2.
