Scope of Ru(II)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Pyridines from Alkynes and Nitriles

Pyridines can be efficiently synthesized by Ru(II)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes to alpha,omega-dinitriles or electron-deficient nitriles or by Ru(II)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclization of electron-deficient alkynes and electron-deficient nitriles. The reactions with dinitriles seem likely to proceed via ruthenacyclopentadiene intermediates and the reactions with electron-poor nitriles via azaruthenacyclopentadienes. The reaction with asymmetric electron-deficient alkynes affords 2,3,6-trisubstituted pyridines in good yield.