Dehydrogenative Synthesis of 2,2′-Bipyridyls through Regioselective Pyridine Dimerization

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.201814701

2,2′-Bipyridyls have been utilized as indispensable ligands in metal-catalyzed reactions. The most streamlined approach for the synthesis of 2,2′-bipyridyls is the dehydrogenative dimerization of unfunctionalized pyridine. Herein, we report on the palladium-catalyzed dehydrogenative synthesis of 2,2′-bipyridyl derivatives. The Pd catalysis effectively works with an Ag^I salt as the oxidant in the presence of pivalic acid. A variety of pyridines regioselectively react at the C2-positions. This dimerization method is applicable for challenging substrates such as sterically hindered 3-substituted pyridines, where the pyridines regioselectively react at the C2-position. This reaction enables the concise synthesis of twisted 3,3′-disubstituted-2,2′-bipyridyls as an underdeveloped class of ligands.