C-H Pyridonation of (Hetero-)Arenes by Pyridinium Radical Cations.

Pyridones are important heteroaromatic scaffolds found in natural products and pharmaceuticals and are, therefore, of major interest in organic synthetic chemistry. Here we report the first C-H pyridonation of unactivated (hetero-)arenes, providing a methodology to directly access N-aryl-2- and 4-pyridones. Generation of pyridinium radical cations through single-electron reduction allows for the synthesis of pyridones on structurally complex molecules.