On the syntheses of 1,3-disubstituted dithieno[3,4-b:3′,2′-d]pyridines via halogen-metal exchange of 1,3-dibromodithieno[3,4-b:3′,2′-d]pyridine

Halogen-metal exchange of 1,3-dibromodithieno3,4-b:3′,2′-d]pyridine with butyllithium under different conditions has been studied. Upon reaction with iodine, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl carbonate, dimethyl disulfide and thiuram disulfide, the 1,3-diiodo-, 1,3-diacetyl-, 1,3-diformyl-, 1,3-dicarbomethoxy, 1,3-di(thiomethyl)- and 1,3-di(N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamoyl)dithieno3,4-b:3′,2′-d]-pyridines, respectively, were obtained in varying yields. 3-Monosubstituted derivatives were obtained in some cases. The formation of 3,7-disubstituted derivatives was sometimes also observed.