Novel bis-(3-cyano-2-pyridones) derivatives: synthesis and fluorescent properties

Novel substituted bis-(3-cyano-2-pyridone) derivatives were prepared via a powerful method using enaminonitriles push–pull dienes as key building blocks. The synthesis was performed in three steps from easily accessible starting materials in good yields. All target products were structurally elucidated by spectroscopic data. The reaction mechanism for formation of bis (3-cyano-2-pyridone) derivatives was proposed. The structures of enaminonitriles 3a and bis-pyridones 4c were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The florescent study of some bis (3-cyano-2-pyridones) derivatives was reported. Graphical abstract