Various methods for the synthesis of 3-cyanotriazolopyridine 8 by diaz
o transfer to 2-pyridylacetonitrile are described. Lithiation of the t
riazolopyridine 8 using LDA or TMPA followed by quenching with TMS chl
oride, gave the 4-mono-, the 7-mono-,and the 4,7- di TMS derivatives 1
4, 18, and 15, and the amidines 16 and 17, in contrast to the previous
ly reported regiospecific attack at position 7. A Grignard reaction on
compound 8 gave 3-propionyl triazolopyridine, 13.