On the structure of intermediate adducts arising from dithionite reduction of pyridinium salts: a novel class of derivatives of the parent sulfinic acid

13C and 17O NMR spectroscopy show that adducts arising from dithionite reduction of 3- or 3,5-cyano- or carbamoyl-substituted pyridinium salts to the corresponding 1,4-dihydropyridines, are S-anions of esters of the simplest parent sulfinic acid. A pathway for formation of the 1,4-dihydropyridines, involving an intramolecular hydride transfer, is suggested.