2-Phenylpyridine is an organic compound with the formula C6H5C5H4N (or C11H9N).

It is a colourless viscous liquid.

The compound and related derivatives have attracted interest as precursors to highly fluorescent metal complexes of possible value as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs).

[1] The compound is prepared by the reaction of phenyl lithium with pyridine:[2] The reaction of iridium trichloride with 2-phenylpyridine proceeds via cyclometallation to give the chloride-bridged complex:[3][4] This complex can be converted to the pictured tris(cyclometallated) derivative tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium.

The degree and regiochemistry of fluorination of metalated 2-phenylpyridine ligands in platinum(II) complexes significantly modifies the emission properties of the complexes.