An efficient one-pot synthesis of annulated pyridines utilising a directed ortho-metallation/transmetallation approach

The ortho-alkylation of Boc-protected aminopyridines with α,ω-dihaloalkanes followed by in situ cyclisation, resulted in the corresponding annulated pyridine derivatives in good to excellent yields. The effect of the alkylating and chelating agents, the transmetallation additives and the directing group was examined.