In analogy to the earlier discussed coupling reaction, 18 is reacted with the lithium species derived from bipyridine 3 and LDA (2 equiv). Due to the conditions which were chosen for this reaction, a mixture of the (CH2) 4 bridged 2, 2'-bipyridine/veratrole (19-Mez, 47%) and veratrole/2, 2'-bipyridine/veratrole derivative (20-Me4, 31%) is obtained. Compounds 19- Me2 and 20-Me4 can be easily separated by chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl ...