Solvent-controlled halohydroxylation or C3–C2 coupling of pyridinium salts through an interrupted dearomative reduction

Abstract

Herein, we report an efficient and easily operable method to halohydroxylate pyridiniums through an interrupted dearomative reduction strategy. In this process, we make the most of the halide anion from the pyridinium salts by performing the reaction in DMSO without the need of external HX added. Notably, by changing the solvents from DMSO into Et₂O, the bimolecular C3–C2 coupling occurs successfully.