AbstractCrouch and Lochte have described a new synthesis of pyridine derivatives, in which they start from glutarimide or from its alkyl derivativesW. W. Crouch and H. L. Lochte, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 65, 270 (1943). ). By the action of phosphorus pentachloride on glutarimide at a slightly raised temperature they obtained a trichloropyridine, m.p. 66‐67° and they have shown indirectly that this compound is the 2,3,6‐isomer.We have now reacted glutarimide with phosphorus pentabromide and have confirmed the reasoning of Crouch and Lochte, because the tribromopyridine obtained has been identified with 2,3,6‐tribromopyridine, prepared by brominating 3‐bromopyridine at 500°H. J. den Hertog and J. P. Wibaut, Rec. trav. chim. 51, 940 (1932). . Moreover, 2,3,5,6‐tetra‐bromopyridine appeared to be formed, which was identified with a sample obtained by brominating 3,5‐dibromopyridine at 500°.Glutarimide (1 g) was mixed with phosphorus pentabromide (12 g) and the mixture held at 80‐90° for 2 1/2 hours. The reaction product was then poured out into water and the crystals, which separated after a little time, were submitted to a steam distillation. The first fraction in the steam distillation (60 cm3) contained a colourless solid, which melted at 82.5‐83.5° after crystallisation from ethanol. (Mixed m.p. with a sample of 2,3,6‐tribromopyridine: 82‐83°.) After an intermediate fraction of 50 cm3 had passed over in the steam distillation, a further fraction was obtained (250 cm3), which contained a colourless substance melting at 103‐104° after crystallisation from ethanol. (Mixed m.p. with a sample of 2,3,5,6‐tetrabromopyridine: 103‐104°).