A Facile synthesis of 3-alkylthio-(or arylthio-)pyridines and 3,5-bis(alkylthio)pyridines

3-Alkylthio- (or 3-arylthio-)pyridines and 3,5-bis(alkylthio)pyridine can be conveniently prepared by the reaction of 3-thiocyanato- or 3,5-bis(thiocyanato)pyridines with tri-n-butylphosphine in the presence of alcohol.