A new synthesis of L1 has been reported: The reaction of 3-benzyloxy-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (I) with methylamine and NaOH in refluxing ethanol gives 3-benzyloxy-1,2-dimethylpyridin-4(1H)-one (II), which is deprotected by hydrogenolysis with H2 over Pd/C in ethanol.