Abstract 3-Methyl-1-(4-pyridinyl)-2-butanone has been synthesized via a short and convenient method based upon acylation of 4-picoline by phenyllithium followed by reaction with ethyl isobutyrate. This procedure can be extended to the preparation of various alkyl pyridyl ketones, intermediates in the synthesis of potential anti-tumor 6-substituted 7H- pyridocarbazole dimers.
[Lee, Cheuk Man; Sammes, Michael P.; Katritzky, Alan R. Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1: Organic and Bio-Organic Chemistry (1972-1999), 1980 , p. 2458 - 2462]