Abstract: The process which comprises reacting 4-picoline below about 30.degree. C. with at least three mole equivalents of an inorganic acid halide, preferably phosphorus oxychloride, per mole of 4-picoline and excess dimethylformamide, reacting in solution the unisolated resulting N-[3-dimethylamino-2-(4-pyridinyl)-2-propenylidene]-N-methylmethaniminium salt (after adding the reaction mixture to cold water, adjusting the pH to about 8.0 and filtering off the precipitated inorganic cationic salts) with excess .alpha.-cyanoacetamide and at least three mole equivalents of base, and then isolating 5-cyano-[3,4'-bipyridin]-6(1H)-one in free base form (after neutralization) or in the form of its inorganic cationic salt. Said 5-cyano-[3,4'-bipyridin]-6(1H)-one is an intermediate for preparing the cardiotonic amrinone.

Abstract: Apomorphine derivatives are prepared in improved yield by rearrangement of the corresponding morphine derivative in the presence of anhydrous orthophosphoric acid under a partial vacuum and hydrolysis of the resulting phosphate esters in an aqueous medium.