FeCl₃-catalyzed four-component nucleophilic addition/intermolecular cyclization yielding polysubstituted pyridine derivatives.

We report an efficient route to pyridine derivatives via an FeCl3-catalyzed four-component nucleophilic addition/intermolecular cyclization. This simple fragment assembly strategy uses mild conditions and affords a broad range of polysubstituted pyridines in moderate to good yield from simple and readily available starting materials. A plausible mechanism for this process is proposed.