A set of 5-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)-pyrid-2-ones, which are analogous to cardiotonic drugs such as milrinone, has been prepared in high yield by recyclization of 3-formylchromones with acetic acid amides having at the α-position an electron-withdrawing group. The best reaction conditions were found to be heating in DMF in the presence of Me₃SiCl as a promoter and water scavenger.