A Pyridine-Pyridine Cross-Coupling Reaction via Dearomatized Radical Intermediates

A pyridine-pyridine coupling reaction has been developed between pyridyl phosphonium salts and cyanopyridines using B₂ pin₂ as an electron-transfer reagent. Complete regio- and cross-selectivity are observed when forming a range of valuable 2,4'-bipyridines. Phosphonium salts were found to be the only viable radical precursors in this process, and mechanistic studies indicate that the process does not proceed through a Minisci-type coupling involving a pyridyl radical. Instead, a radical-radical coupling process between a boryl phosphonium pyridyl radical and a boryl-stabilized cyanopyridine radical explains the C-C bond-forming step.