Intramolecular inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reactions of 1, 2, 4-triazines constitute a versatile method for the preparation of a variety of functionalized, fused heterocycles. 2 Application of this method to the preparation of fused pyridines requires an alkyne or alkene (or their equivalents) as the dienophilic component which, when tethered to C-3 of the 1, 2, 4- triazine, leads to fused [2, 3-b] pyridines following cycloaddition and nitrogen extrusion. ...