2 Ethoxycarbonyl 5,6,7,8 tetrafluorochromone reacts with methylamine differently, de pending on the solvent nature and the amount of the amine: in DMSO and MeCN, the fluorine atom at the C(7) atom is initially replaced and then the C(2) and/or C(9) are attacked, while in ethanol, the reaction involves the C(2) atom with opening of the pyrone ring. The reaction of 3 ethoxycarbonyl 5,6,7,8 tetrafluoro 2 methylchromone with methylamine results, regard less of the solvent, in opening of the chromone ring and the formation of intermediate ethyl 3 (3,4,5,6 tetrafluoro 2 hydroxyphenyl) 2 (1 methylamino)ethylidene 3 oxopropionate, which undergoes intramolecular cyclization to give 5,6,7,8 tetrafluoro 3 (1 methyl amino)ethylidene 3,4 dihydro 2H benzopyran 2,4 dione.