Palladium-Catalyzed C-4 Selective Coupling of 2,4-Dichloropyridines and Synthesis of Pyridine-Based Dyes for Live-Cell Imaging.

An alternative process of Pd-catalyzed C-4 selective coupling of 2,4-dichloropyridines with boronic esters was developed, which afforded 24 examples of C-4 coupled pyridines in moderate to good yields. After further arylation, 21 examples of C-2, C-4 diarylated pyridines with a significant photophysical property were obtained, which were applied as pyridine-based dyes into live-cell imaging with good biocompatibility and low toxicity.