Abstract
3,3′-Bis(alkyloxycarbonyl)-2,2′-bipyridines are produced from the reaction of alcohols with 3,3′-bis(chlorocarbonyl)-2,2′-bipyridine which is generated from the corresponding dicarboxylic acid and thionyl chloride. When the dicarboxylic acid is reacted with a SOCl
2
-Cl
2
mixture, significant amounts of trichloroindolizines are produced. This reaction is likely to take place
via
initial intramolecular
N
-chloroacylation of bipyridine
3
.