The reaction of 5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-pyran-4-one (I) with SOCl2, followed by dechlorination with Zn/HCl, gives 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (II), which is condensed with formaldehyde to yield 3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (III). The protection of the aromatic OH group of (III) with Bn-Br affords the benzyl ether (IV), which is treated with methylamine to provide the corresponding 4-pyridone (V). The reaction of the OH group of (V) with phthalimide (VI) by means of DEAD and PPh3 gives the expected phthalimido derivative (VII), which is cleaved with hydrazine to yield the aminomethyl derivative (VIII). The condensation of the amino group of (VIII) with the activated amide (IX) (obtained by condensation of N-propylsuccinamic acid (X) with 2-thiazolidinone (XI) by means of DCC and DMAP) affords the adduct (XII), which is finally debenzylated by hydrogenation with H2 over Pd/C to provide the target succinamide derivative.