Abstract A number of 4-arylpyridines, many methoxy substituted, were prepared by an efficient two-step method involving aryl Grignard addition to 1-methyl-4-piperidone and direct aromatization of the resulting 4-aryl-4-piperidinols. The pyridines were N-alkylated to give sulfonate salts desired for their fluorescent properties. Study of selected compounds as laser dyes revealed several structures to be efficient dyes lasing in the 530-550 nm range. ...