Abstract2‐Hydroxymethyl‐5‐methoxy‐4‐H‐pyran‐4‐one (1) reacts with aniline and six aniline derivatives in very dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid at reflux temperature to give theN‐aryl‐γ‐pyridone. A second procedure utilizes the aromatic amine hydrochloride by reacting it with1in aqueous medium at reflux temperature.p‐Nitroaniline hydrochloride and1give theN‐aryl‐γ‐pyridone in 65% yield, as opposed to 12%