Hydrochloric Acid → 2-Methyl-5-nitropyridine

206 g (1.29 mol) of diethyl malonate are added to 600 ml of dimethylformamide, and 51.2 g (1.28 mol) of freshly powdered NaOH are introduced, with cooling. The mixture is subsequently stirred after 15 minutes and a solution of 94.8 g (0.6 mol) of 5-nitro-2-chloropyridine in 600 ml of dimethylformamide is then added dropwise at room temperature. The deep red solution formed is stirred until the reaction is complete, 36% strength HCl is then added dropwise until the color changes to orange and the mixture is evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue is taken up in 400 ml of CHCl3, washed with 500 ml of water and evaporated again. The residue is now dissolved in a mixture of 1,200 ml of 36% strength HCl and 870 ml of water and the solution is boiled under reflux until the evolution of gas has ended. Thereafter, it is evaporated in vacuo, the residue is dissolved in 500 ml of water, the solution is extracted with methylene chloride and the organic phase is washed again with water. After the solvent has been stripped off, 72 g (87%) of 5-nitro-2-picoline remain.