The compounds 2-chloro-4-methoxypyridine and rifluoromethylsulfonyloxy
-3-trimethylsilylpyridine were shown to be relatively efficient precur
sors for 4-methoxy-2,3-pyridyne as was evidenced by its napping with f
uran, 2-methylfuran and 2-methoxyfuran. These findings constitute the
first published report of the use of either directed-deprotonation or
fluoride-induced elimination to prepare the reactive 2,3-pyridyne inte
rmediate.