How is pyridine converted to 2 phenyl pyridine?

August 10, 2023

Specific experimental process of conversion of pyridine to 2 phenyl pyridine

Start with pyridine (C5H5N) and benzene (C6H6) as the starting materials. Mix pyridine and benzene in the presence of a strong base, typically sodium or potassium hydroxide (NaOH or KOH). Heat the mixture to a high temperature, usually around 300-400°C, in a sealed reaction vessel. During the reaction, the base abstracts a hydrogen atom from the benzene ring, forming a benzene anion (C6H5^-). The benzene anion then undergoes a nucleophilic attack on the pyridine ring, specifically at the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom. This nucleophilic attack leads to the formation of a C-C bond between the benzene ring and the pyridine ring, resulting in the formation of 2-phenyl pyridine.

The reaction can be represented by the following chemical equation:

Pyridine (CAS 110-86-1) + Benzene (CAS 71-43-2) → 2-Phenylpyridine (CAS 1008-89-5)

Reflections on the experimental conversion of pyridine to 2 phenyl pyridine

It's important to note that the Chichibabin pyridine synthesis is a general method for the synthesis of various substituted pyridines, not just 2-phenyl pyridine. By using different substituted benzene derivatives or other aromatic compounds, a wide range of pyridine derivatives can be obtained.