A new route for the synthesis of 2-phenylpyridines over molecular sieve catalysts

Highly potent and biologically active 2-phenylpyridine and its derivatives were synthesized selectively in single step from acetophenone and allyl alcohol in presence of ammonia over molecular sieve catalysts at 360 °C. Mesoporous Al-MCM-41 is found to be good catalyst towards cyclization when compared to microporous HY, HX, Hβ and HZSM-5 catalysts. A plausible mechanism leading to the synthesis of 2-phenylpyridine in a single step is highlighted.