Nucleophilic alkylations of 3-nitropyridines

3-Nitropyridine and 4-substituted-3-nitropyridines were reacted with chloroform, methyl chloroacetate and ethyl 2-chloropropionate under vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS) conditions. Substitution was obtained in the ortho or para position to the nitro group with acceptable to good yields and regioselectivity. With potassium 5-nitropyridine-2-sulfonate the substitution took place in the 4-position. Further substitution of the sulfonate group proved to be possible.