Copper-catalyzed α-methylenation of benzylpyridines using dimethylacetamide as one-carbon source.

The direct α-methylenation of benzylpyridines was achieved using N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) as a one-carbon source under copper catalysis. An intermediary species was detected at an early stage, and a possible mechanism was proposed. Additionally, α-oxygenation and dimerization of benzylpyridines could also be performed efficiently.