Synthesis of 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-bromomethylpyridine, and its conversion to other 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridines substituted at the pyridine ring

Two routes to 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-hydroxymethylpyridine (1) from 2,6-dihydroxy-isonicotinic acid, in four and six steps, are reported. Reaction of 1 with 48% HBr yields 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-bromomethylpyridine (2), which is a powerful precursor to a range of new tridentate ligands for transition metals functionalised at the pyridine ring. As a proof of principle, we describe the further elaboration of 2 to give two 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridines bearing nucleobase substituents, and the back-to-back ligand 1,2-bis[2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyrid-4-yl]ethane. Crystal structures of two of these new derivatives are presented.