Novel synthetic approach to 2-(1′-hydroxyalkyl)- and 2-amido-3-hydroxypyridin-4-ones

Novel methods for the synthesis of high pFe3+ iron chelators, 2-(1′-hydroxyalkyl)- and 2-amido-3-hydroxypyridin-4-ones, have been developed. The products are obtained, via N-oxide intermediates, from either maltol or ethyl maltol.