Synthesis of 4′-substituted 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines via a Mitsunobu reaction

Treatment of 2,6-di(pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-4(1H)-one with various appropriately protected ω-substituted primary alcohols or a nucleoside (3,3′-O-diBz-dUrd) in dry THF in the presence of triphenylphosphine and diisopropylazodicarboxylate gives the corresponding 4′-substituted terpyridines in high yield.