2-Benzoylpyridine is used as a reagent to assist crosslinking in acrylic coating compounds in the polymers industry. 2-Benzoylpyridine is also a precursor for thioemicarbazone compounds that exhibit high cytotoxic activity against human leukemia cell lines and also posesses some antiinflammatory qualities.
Dissolve 2-benzoylpyridine in Et2O, shake it with aqueous NaHCO3, H2O, dry it over MgSO4 and evaporate. The residue solidifies on cooling. The solid can be recrystallised from pet ether. Its hydrochloride crystallises from Me2CO, m 126-127o, and the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone has m 193-195o. It distils at high vacuum. [Kinkerton & Thames J Organomet Chem 24 623 1970, Beilstein 21/8 V 566.]
