A facile solution phase combinatorial synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyridines using the Bohlmann-Rahtz heteroannulation reaction.

The solution phase combinatorial Bohlmann-Rahtz reaction gives highly functionalized pyridine libraries from enamino esters and alkynones in a single synthetic step. Good product ratios and library purities were obtained in reactions catalyzed by zinc(II) bromide, the acid-catalyzed heteroannulation procedure offering considerable improvements over traditional methodology.