The demethylation of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetone (I) by means of AlCl3 gives the corresponding 4-hydroxy compound (III), which is condensed with epichlorohydrin (III), yielding the expected oxiranylmethyl ether (IV). The addition of 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (V) to the epoxide ring of (IV) affords the isopropyl alcohol derivative (VI), which is condensed with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (VII) to afford the dimethylaminobutenone (VIII). Finally, this compound is cyclized with 2-cyanoacetamide (IX) by means of sodium ethoxide, providing the target pyridone.

The demethylation of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetone (I) by means of AlCl3 gives the corresponding 4-hydroxy compound (III), which is condensed with epichlorohydrin (III), yielding the expected oxiranylmethyl ether (IV). The addition of 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (V) to the epoxide ring of (IV) affords the isopropyl alcohol derivative (VI), which is condensed with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (VII) to afford the dimethylaminobutenone (VIII). Finally, this compound is cyclized with 2-cyanoacetamide (IX) by means of sodium ethoxide, providing the target pyridone.