An expedient synthesis of a picolinamide-based betain bearing a 3-sulfonatopropyl substituent

3-[2-(Aminocarbonyl)pyridinium-1-yl]propane-1-sulfonate, a promising medicinal betain, was prepared by a one-pot synthesis with a 89% yield via N-alkylation of ethyl picolinate with 1,3-propanesultone in MeCN followed by ammonolysis. The reaction involving picolinamide in MeOH followed by the treatment with acetone afforded a novel 3,3-dimethyl- 1-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-4-ium 3-methoxypropane-1-sulfonate.