Pyridine C3-arylation of nicotinic acids accessible via a multicomponent reaction: an entry to all-substituted-3,4-diarylated pyridines

An efficient route for the synthesis of penta-substituted/functionalized-3,4-diarylated pyridines, biologically important templates, via pyridine C3-arylation of nicotinic acids has been developed. The poly-substituted nicotinic acid precursors were prepared by an established multicomponent condensation approach. This route shows an excellent opportunity for introducing versatile (hetero)aryls and other substituents/functionalities into the pyridine ring. Several of the synthesized compounds exhibited significant anti-proliferative properties.