Controlled Synthesis of 2‐Acetyl‐6‐carbethoxypyridine and 2,6‐Diacetylpyridine from 2,6‐Dimethylpyridine

Abstract The controlled syntheses of mono‐ and bis‐acetylpyridine from the same starting material (2,6‐dimethylpyridine) are reported, including the asymmetrical compound 2‐acetyl‐6‐carbethoxypyridine, which has not before been reported. The influences of the amount of catalyst EtONa and the reaction conditions to the final products are also explored. A modification of the reported preparation for the 2,6‐dipicolinic acid, 2,6‐dicarbethoxypyridine and 2,6‐diacetylpyridine with higher purity and improved yields is provided here, and the physical and spectral properties of these products are identical to those reported in the literature.