Synthesis of 4-alkyl-3-pyridinols from 3-benzyloxypyridine

The addition of Grignard reagents to the 1-phenoxycarbonyl salt of 3-benzyloxypyridine and a catalytic amount of cuprous iodide afforded 4-alkyl-3-benzyloxy-1-phenoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydropyridines in good yield. The crude dihydropyridines were aromatized with o-chloranil to give 4-alkyl-3-benzyloxypyridines, which were debenzylated with hydrogen and 10% palladium on carbon to provide 4-alkyl-3-pyridinols.