[1] An alternative synthesis involves the reaction of acrylonitrile and acetylene below 130–140 ̊C in the presence of organocobalt compounds as a catalyst.

[2] 2-Vinylpyridine is readily polymerized or copolymerized with styrene, butadiene, isobutylene, methyl methacrylate, and other compounds in the presence of radical, cationic, or anionic initiators.

An important application of 2-vinylpyridine involves the production of a latex terpolymer of 2-vinylpyridine, styrene, and butadiene, for use as a tire-cord binder.

The tire cord is treated first with a resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer and then with a terpolymer made from 15% 2-vinylpyridine, styrene, and butadiene.

[2] Due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the ring nitrogen atom, 2-vinylpyridine adds nucleophiles such as methoxide, cyanide, hydrogen sulfide at the vinylic site to give addition products.