α-Benzotriazolylpyridines and their N-oxides

alpha -Benzotriazolyl-substituted pyridines, -quinolines and -isoquinolines have been prepared by reactions of pyridine, quinoline and isoquinoline N-oxides with 1-tosylbenzotriazole in the presence of triethylamine. Treatment of alpha -benzotriazolylpyridines, -quinolines and -isoquinolines with hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid afforded N-oxides, the structures of which were determined by X-Ray crystallography. Reactions of 1-(2-pyridinyl)-benzotriazole with alkyl halides or tosylates led to the corresponding N-alkylpyridinium salts.