Several 4-substituted dihydropyridones or 2-pyridones have been prepared by nucleophilic addition of α-(methylsulfanyl) ester enolates to N-alkyl-2-fluoropyridinium salts, followed by acid hydrolysis or oxidation with concomitant hydrolysis, of the intermediate 2-fluoro-1, 4- dihydropyridine adducts, respectively. Addition of the enolate derived from isopropyl α- (methylsulfanyl) butyrate to N-(quinolylmethyl)-2-fluoropyridinium triflate 21 followed by ...