Furopyridines. XXVI. Reactions of cyanopyridine derivatives of furo[2,3-b]-, -[3,2-b]-, -[2,3-c]- and -[3,2-c]pyridine

Bromination of α‐cyanopyridine derivatives of furopyridines 1a‐d gave the 2,3‐dibromo‐2,3‐dihydro compounds 2a‐d in excellent yields. Treatment of 2a‐d with sodium hydroxide in methanol yielded compounds formed through the dehydrobromination and solvolysis of the nitrile. N‐Oxidation of 1a and 1b gave N‐oxide in much poor yield, while 1c and 1d gave the N‐oxide 13c and 13d in good yields. The nucleophilic reactions (cyanation, chlorination and acetoxylatoin) of 13c through a Reissert‐Henze type reaction gave poor results, which would be caused by the strong electron withdrawing effect of the cyano group.