Rapid and Convenient Synthesis of the 1,4-Dihydropyridine Privileged Structure

A short, semi-microscale synthesis of two 1,4-dihydropyridine drug analogues via a Hantzsch reaction is described, which is appropriate for a second-year undergraduate organic laboratory. Products are specifically chosen to highlight the biological relevance of this compound type while introducing the notion of a privileged structure. 1,4-Dihydropyridines are bioactive as calcium channel blockers and antioxidants and are lead candidates in the …