Hydrazine → (6-Benzyl-2-pyridyl)methanol

A mixture of (6-benzoyl-2-pyridyl)methanol (1.5 g, 7 mmol), potassium hydroxide (1.3 g, 23 mmol) and hydrazine 85% (1 ml, 25 mmol) in triethylene glycol (10 ml) is refluxed for 1.5 hours, and then the water and excess hydrazine are removed by a takeoff condenser until the temperature rises to 195°-200°. After 4 hours at 195°-200°, the solution is cooled, poured into ice and water (50 ml) and extracted with ether (3×20 ml). The combined ether layers are washed with water (3×20 ml), brine (10 ml) and dried over calcium sulfate. Removal of solvents gives (6-benzyl-2-pyridyl)methanol.