描述
2-phenylpyridine is a member of the class of compounds known as phenylpyridines. Phenylpyridines are polycyclic aromatic compounds containing a benzene ring linked to a pyridine ring through a CC or CN bond. 2-phenylpyridine is slightly soluble (in water) and a strong basic compound (based on its pKa). 2-phenylpyridine can be found in sweet orange and tea, which makes 2-phenylpyridine a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. The compound is prepared by the reaction of phenyl lithium with pyridine: C6H5Li + C5H5N → C6H5-C5H4N + LiH The reaction of iridium trichloride with 2-phenylpyridine proceeds via cyclometallation to give the chloride-bridged complex: 4 C6H5-C5H4N + 2 IrCl3(H2O)3 → Ir2Cl2(C6H4-C5H4N)4 + 4 HCl This complex can be converted to the pictured tris(cyclometallated) derivative .