The anion of 5-ethenyl-4-methyl-3-pyridinecarbonitrile 1 undergoes oxidative coupling on treatment with dibenzoyl peroxide affording 1, 2-bis-(5'-ethenyl-3'-cyano-4'-pyridyl)-ethane, 2. It is also shown that the anions of 2-and 4-methylpyridine undergo oxidative coupling. In the latter case, however, the coupling reaction is accompanied by addition to the carbonyl group of dibenzoyl peroxide. The addition products have been identified as phenacyl ...
