Efficient synthesis of novel pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones

A series of pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones 5a–g have been synthesized through conversion of 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic anhydride 1 into half-ester 2, subsequent Curtius rearrangement and further reaction with amino acids.