Pyridinedithioesters as Heterodienophiles: Application to the Synthesis of Aprikalim

[reaction: see text] Pyridinedithioesters can be used as efficient heterodienophiles when activated by complexation with BF(3), by protonation, or by oxidation of the nitrogen atom of the pyridine moiety. The hetero-Diels-Alder reaction using 3-pyridinedithioester as a heterodienophile was the key step in a new synthesis of Aprikalim in racemic form. The methodology can be reliably extended to prepare new analogues of Aprikalim.