Mild Regioselective Halogenation of Activated Pyridines with N-Bromosuccinimide

Abstract Regioselective mono and dihalogenations of amino, hydroxy and methoxy pyridines (2-, 3-, and 4-substituted) as well as 2,6-dimethoxy pyridine with N-bromosuccinimide in different solvents have been studied. Reactivity of the substrates decreases in the order amino>hydroxy>methoxy and regioselectivity depends on the position of the substituent (2-substituted > 3-substituted). In most of the cases we obtained monobrominated derivatives regioselectively and in high yields. Hydroxy and amino pyridines can also be dibrominated in almost quantitative yield with 2 equivalents of NBS.