Zn-promoted regio- and sequence-selective one-pot joining reactions of three components: vinylpyridines, alkyl iodides, and carbonyl compounds (or nitriles)

Abstract

Addition of alkyl iodides ( 3) into the solution containing 2-(or 4-)vinylpyridine ( 1 or 2) and carbonyl compounds ( 6) in the presence of Zn-powder (99.9%) in acetonitrile under refluxing brought about regio- and sequence-selective joining reaction of three components to give the corresponding (2-hydroxyethyl)pyridines ( 7 or 8) in good to moderate yields. On the other hand, 2-(2- or 4-pyridyl)ethyl alkyl ketones ( 10 or 11) were obtained from the similar joining reaction of three components by addition of alkyl iodides ( 3) into the solution of 2-(or 4-)vinylpyridine ( 1 or 2), and nitriles ( 9) in toluene containing Zn-powder (99.9%) under the similar reaction conditions.