Abstract Dihalogenated pyridines, some activated with carboxylic, ester or cyano group, were allowed to react with sodium alkylmercaptides. After hydrolysis of the ester or cyano group followed by decarboxylation, bis-alkylthiopyridines with substituents at 2, 3-, 2, 4-, 2, 5- , 2, 6-and 3, 5-positions were prepared. These compounds were oxidized to bis- alkylsulfonylpyridines.