Metal-free Michael addition initiated multicomponent oxidative cyclodehydration route to polysubstituted pyridines from 1,3-dicarbonyls.

A simple metal-free, step-economic and selective access to pyridines from readily available substrates is reported, involving a flexible 4 A molecular sieves promoted Michael addition initiated domino three-component reaction between a 1,3-dicarbonyl, a Michael acceptor and a synthetic equivalent of ammonia.