Abstract
By modifying the conditions from those in Larock's reported synthesis of 3-(2-hydroxyaryl)pyridines from benzynes, and pyridine N-oxides, we altered the regioselectivity of the reaction toward an efficient synthesis of 2-substituted pyridines. The presence of ethyl propiolate altered the regioselectivity to afford 3-substituted pyridine products instead. We conducted appropriate control experiments that enable a full understanding of the mechanism. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.