The synthesis of methyl 2-(5-hydroxy-3-methoxypyridin-2-yl) acetate and alkyl 2-(5- hydroxypyrimidin-2-yl) acetate is described. Methodology for an efficient access to 5-hydroxy- pyridin-and pyrimidin-2-yl acetate cores has been developed. Based on the difference in halogen reactivity, 5-bromo-2-chloropyridine and its pyrimidine analogue were functionalized judiciously by SNAr and palladium-catalyzed reactions. The outlined ...