It is a colorless solid that is soluble in organic solvents.

4,4′-Bipyridine was first obtained in 1868 by the Scottish chemist Thomas Anderson via heating pyridine with sodium metal.

[3] 4,4'-Bipyridine is an intermediate in the production of paraquat, a widely-used herbicide.

In this process, pyridine is oxidized to 4,4'-bipyridine in a coupling reaction, followed by dimethylation to form paraquat.

[4] The reducing agent is N,N'-bis(trimethylsilyl)-4,4'-bipyridinylidene is produced by reduction of 4,4'-bipyridine in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride (Me = CH3): The silylated derivative, which is red, is used in salt-free reductions.