Abstract Complementary approaches to the synthesis of the title compounds 1 are described. Metallation of 3, 5-di-bromo-2-methoxypyridine (5b) by bromine/lithium exchange gave selectively the 3-lithio intermediate 6 which was trapped with substituted cinnamaldehydes 7, providing allylic alcohols 8 in good yields. Methyl ether cleavage and concomitant cyclization occurred on exposure to concentrated hydrobromic acid in hot ...