6,6′-Dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine-4-ester: A pivotal synthon for building tethered bipyridine ligands

We describe an efficient and scalable synthesis of 4-carbomethoxy-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine starting from easily available substituted 2-halopyridines and based on the application of modified Negishi cross-coupling conditions. This compound is a versatile starting material for the synthesis of 4-functionalized 2,2′-bipyridines bearing halide, alcohol, amine, and other functionalities, suitable for conjugation to biological material (2a–c, 3a–g). The utility of this compound in the construction of more complex architectures was further demonstrated by the synthesis of two bifunctional lanthanide chelators; an open chain ligand based on one 2,2′-bipyridine unit and a cryptand based on three 2,2′-bipyridine units [N2(bpy)3COOMe]. In the field of luminophoric biolabels, the photophysical properties of the corresponding Eu(III) cryptate are reported.