3, 3′-Bis (alkyloxycarbonyl)-2, 2′-bipyridines are produced from the reaction of alcohols with 3, 3′-bis (chlorocarbonyl)-2, 2′-bipyridine which is generated from the corresponding dicarboxylic acid and thionyl chloride. When the dicarboxylic acid is reacted with a SOCl 2 ...