Structural Factors Affecting the Basicity of ω-Pyridylalkanols, ω-Pyridylalkanamides and ω-Pyridylalkylamines

The present paper describes the preparation by conventional methods (when not available commercially) and the pK_a-determination of the α-, β- and γ-isomers of pyridylethanamide, 3-pyridylpropanamide. 4-pyridylbutanamide, 5-pyridyl-pentanamide, pyridylmethanol, 2-pyridylethanol, 3-pyridylpropanol, 4-pyridyl-butanol, 5-pyridylpentanol, pyridylmethylamine, 2-pyridylethylamine, 3-pyridyl-propylamine, 4-pyridylbutylamine, and 5-pyridylpentylamine. While a field effect accounts for many variations in pK_a as a function of chain length, marked inductive effects are operative in some methyl and ethyl homologs. The pK_a-decreasing influence of an intramolecular H-bond is also apparent in some lower homologs belonging to the α-series.