Pd/C-catalyzed one-pot Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling/hydrogenation of pyridine derivatives

Using bromopyridines and methoxyphenyl boronic acid as starting materials, consecutive Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and hydrogenation reactions were undertaken using a heterogeneous Pd/C catalyst in one-pot manner under mild conditions (balloon-pressure at room temperature for hydrogenation) with excellent yield. To counter Pd leaching as well as catalyst poisoning, addition of an appropriate amount of H₂O was crucial to achieving successful AcOH-promoted hydrogenation, which ensured a selective reduction of the pyridine rings to the corresponding piperidines.