2,5-Dimethyl-4-(p-aminobenzyl)pyridine in the synthesis of substituted quinolines, pyridoindazoles, and isoquinolinoquinolines

2,5-Dimethyl-4-pyridyl(6-quinolyl)methane was obtained from 2,5-dimethyl-4-(p-aminobenzyl)pyridine via the Skraup reaction. The product was nitrated to 2,5-dimethyl-4-pyridyl (5-nitro-6-quinolyl)methane, which was reduced to 2,5-dimethyl-4-pyridyl (5-amino-6-quinolyl)methane. It was established that the diazo compound formed from this amino derivative is converted to 1H,3-(2,5-dimethyl-4-pyridyl)-pyrido [2,3-g]indazole as a result of intramolecular cyclization. 9-Methyliso-quinolino [7,6-f]quinoline was obtained by catalytic dehydrocyclization of 2,5-dimethyl-4-pyridyl (6-quinolyl)methane. 2,5-Dimethyl-4-pyridyl(5-nitro-6-quinolyl)methane has chemochromic properties. © 1980 Plenum Publishing Corporation.