Synthesis of functionalized 4-phenyl-pyridines via electrochemically prepared organozinc reagents

The efficient and convenient synthesis of various functionalized 4-phenyl-pyridines 2 is described. The key step of the procedure is the electrochemical formation of aromatic organozinc reagents 1 and their coupling with pyridinium salts. Intermediate 1,4-dihydropyridines are oxidized using mild conditions to provide functionalized 4-phenyl-pyridines in moderate to high overall yields.