Abstract N-Substituted imidazolylzinc chlorides were reacted with 2-bromopyridine in the presence of Pd (PPh 3) 4 and a two-fold excess of ZnCl 2 to afford cross-coupled products in 58–93% yields. Deprotection provided convenient routes to 2-or 4 (5)-(2-pyridinyl) imidazoles.