| Abstract: | 4,4′-Dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine was synthesized quantitatively by chromium(VI) oxide-mediated oxidation of 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine or 4,4′-diethyl-2,2′-bipyridine with periodic acid as the terminal oxidant in sulfuric acid. 5,5′-Dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine and 6,6’-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine were also synthesized by the method from the corresponding dimethyl bipyridines in excellent yields. 4,4′,4″-Tricarboxy-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine was obtained in 80% yield from 4,4′,4″-triethyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, and 4,4′,4″,4′″-tetracarboxy-2,2′:6′,2″:6″,2′″-quaterpyridine was obtained in 72% yield from 4,4′,4″,4′″-tetraethyl-2,2′:6′,2″:6″,2′″-quaterpyridine by the same procedure. |
