2,2 -Pyrrolylpyridine, by product

The most important by-product formed in the reaction of pyridine with degassed Raney nickel is an organonickel complex which has been shown to be a complex of one molecule of 2,2 -bipyridine, two molecules of 2,2 -pyrrolylpyridine (17), and one nickel II ion. It is significant that, although the formation of 2,2 -bipyridine ceases after 50 hr refluxing, the formation of this complex continues for at least another 140 hr. 

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