Abstract: | Preparation of Styryl and Distyryl Derivatives of Pyridine 2,4-, 2,5- and 2,6-Dimethylpyridines react with anils of aromatic aldehydes in the presence of dimethylformamide and potassium hydroxide to yield the corresponding distyrylpyridines (‘anil synthesis’). Under the same reaction conditions (4-methylstyryl)pyridines are converted to (stilbenylvinyl)pyridines. Similarly, the Schiff's base derived from pyridine-3-carbaldehyde and p-chloroaniline on treatment with methyl- and p-tolyl-substituted aromatic heterocycles gives the corresponding (heteroaryl-styryl)pyridines, whereas with the Schiff's bases derived from pyridine-2- and -4-carbaldehyde side reactions, such as dimerization followed by disproportionation predominate. |