[2][3] Methyl-substituted pyridines, which show widespread uses among multiple fields of applied chemistry, are prepared by this methodology.
[4] The syntheses are presently conduced commercially in the presence of oxide catalysts such as modified alumina (Al2O3) or silica (SiO2).
Acrolein and propionaldehyde react with ammonia affords mainly 3-methylpyridine.
[6][1] Conducting the reaction in the gas phase in the presence of aluminium(III) oxide.
For example, acrylonitrile and acetone affords 2-methylpyridine uncontaminated with the 4-methyl derivative.