The chemistry of [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines

The reactivity of [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines 1 is described. Triazolopyridines react with electrophiles in two contrasting ways, giving 3-substituted triazolopyridines 2, or products 3, resulting from triazolo ring opening with loss of molecular nitrogen. The triazolopyridines can be lithiated at -40 degrees C by lithium diisopropylamide in ether giving regiospecifically the 7-lithio derivative. Bromotriazolopyridines have activation towards nucleophilic substitution at position 5 and 7, and benzenoid inertness at position 6. The parent compound 1a is easily hydrogenated giving tetrahydrotriazolopyridine 11a in high yield; when the triazolopyridines have substituents, the hydrogenation reaction strongly depends on the position of the substituent. Triazolopyridinium ylides of type 18 and 26 react with acetylenic esters; these reactions are influenced by the nature of solvent and the acetylenic ester used, giving different types of adducts: stable disubstituted triazolopyridinium ylides of type 19 and 20, indolizines 21, or pyrroleninylpyrazolo[5,1-a] pyridines 22. Photochemistry, and photochemical reactions with MP and DMAD of these ylides are also described. A new way to 2,2'-bipyridines, in two steps from triazolopyridines is reported.