Pyridines carrying heterosubstituents (such as carboxy, amido, amino, alkoxy or trifluoromethyl groups or solely individual halogen atoms) can be readily and site selectively metalated. Subsequent reaction with a suitable electrophile opens rational access to a wealth of new building blocks for the synthesis of biologically active compounds. This approach relies on organometallic methods, which are both efficacious and extremely flexible as far as the substitution site and the product structure are concerned (86 references).
