Finally, we examined the scope of the nucleophilic partner. Activation of 4-methylpyridine-N-oxide 1d with tosyl chloride and substitution with methyl-substituted Meldrum's acid 2a was carried out as normal; following removal of the solvent, the resulting crude material was exposed to different nucleophilic ring-opening conditions. The formation of different esters was achieved conveniently by treating the intermediate with a mixture of the relevant alcohol and potassium tertbutoxide in THF at room temperature: in this way, benzyl ester 3t and allyl ester 3u were prepared in yields similar to that of 3d from the methanolytic procedure. We also investigated the use of an organometallic nucleophile, and found that exposure to iso-butylmagnesium bromide at -40 o C gave, after warming to room temperature and aqueous work-up, the ketone 3v in 39% yield. Finally, we examined the use of amine nucleophiles. The crude intermediate was taken up in toluene, the relevant amine added, and the mixture heated in a sealed microwave vial at 200 o C for 20 minutes. Following cooling, extractive work-up and purification, good yields of the resulting amides 3w-ab were obtained. The reaction worked well with both primary and secondary amines, including less nucleophilic aromatic amines such as indoline.