Pyridine-Containing Reagents

The application of simple pyridines in organic synthesis is reviewed. All pyridine derivatives under discussion are either inexpensive commercial products or can easily be synthesised from readily available substrates. The catalytic pyridines include 2-(dimethylamino)pyridine, 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and chiral (2 S )-2[(2-pyridyloxy)methyl]pyrrolidine. Other substituted pyridines are stoichiometric reagents in the synthesis of fundamental classes of organic compounds.