1,4-Dihydropicolinic acid derivatives: novel NADH analogues with an altered connectivity pattern

Sodium dithionite reduction of α-substituted N-alkylpyridinium salts (derived from picolinic acid derivatives) afforded the corresponding 1,4-dihydropyridines with a new substitution pattern, in which the electron-withdrawing group is at the α-position. These compounds promote biomimetic reductions and are hence considered functional NADH analogues.