Summary A new synthesis of pyridoxine hydrochloride (1) based on a Co-catalyzed cycloaddition of MeCN with substituted di (2-propynyl) ethers (3 and 16) is described. The reaction sequences following cycloaddition and leading to 1 involve as key steps the rearrangement of the pyridine-N-oxide 6 to the 3-hydroxypyridine 7 with Ac, O and a modified Curtius rearrangement of the acid 19 and subsequent diazotation and hydrolysis ...