Problem of Functionalizing Pyridines in the Meta-position has been solved

written by Adeel Abbas

One of the most efficient ways to synthesize a diverse range of bioactive compounds involves the direct functionalization of the C-H bonds of pyridines. This is a straightforward approach to synthesizing complex molecules, including in the final stage of the synthesis sequence.

The problem is that the pyridine in a certain position in relation to the nitrogen atom is extremely challenging and rare.

A team of researchers led by Prof. Armido Studer at the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the University of Münster has developed a new strategy for getting various functional groups into the meta-position of pYRidines.

Their study is now available in Science.

In addition, the researchers developed processes that can transform drugs into compounds with trifluoromethyl and chlorine substituents, using relatively little effort and taking place in one single reaction vessel.

We’ve used inexpensive, commercially available reagents to make this compound. The synthesis is very straightforward and you could replicate it yourself. The resulting compound is a very versatile building block for making new organic materials.

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More information: Hui Cao et al, Radical and ionic meta -C–H functionalization of pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines, Science (2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.ade6029