AbstractPyridine is an important structural motif that is prevalent in natural products, drugs, and materials. Methods that functionalize and derivatize pyridines have gained significant attention. Recently, a large number of transition-metal-free reactions have been developed. In this review, we provide a brief summary of recent advances in transition-metal-free functionalization and derivatization reactions of pyridines, categorized according to their reaction modes.1 Introduction2 Metalated Pyridines as Nucleophiles2.1 Deprotonation2.2 Halogen–Metal exchange3 Activated Pyridines as Electrophiles3.1 Asymmetric 2-Allylation by Chiral Phosphite Catalysis3.2 Activation of Pyridines by a Bifunctional Activating Group3.3 Alkylation of Pyridines by 1,2-Migration3.4 Alkylation of Pyridines by [3+2] Addition3.5 Pyridine Derivatization by Catalytic In Situ Activation Strategies3.6 Reactions via Heterocyclic Phosphonium Salts4 Radical Reactions for Pyridine Functionalization4.1 Pyridine Functionalization through Radical Addition Reactions4.2 Pyridine Functionalization through Radical–Radical Coupling Reactions5 Derivatization of Pyridines through the Formation of Meisenheimer-Type Pyridyl Anions6 Conclusion
