Synthesis ofα-nitromethylpyridine and derivatives

-Nitromethylpyridine and -nitromethyl-ß-ethylpyridine are obtained by treating the corresponding nitrophthalones with 10% aqueous alkali. Treatment of the compounds with bromine gives the hydrobromides of the dibromo derivatives, which on treatment with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution give the corresponding bases. Addition products of -nitromethylpyridine at the double bond of chalcone and 2-benzylidenindan-1,3-dione were obtained.