benzylthio)methyleneamino]pyridinium and 1-[2-(substituted benzylthio)vinyl]pyridinium bromides possessing an electron-withdrawing substituent such as a nitro or cyano group in the presence or absence of a dehydrogenating agent afforded the corresponding 3-arylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines and 1-arylindolizines in moderate to good yields, while the reactions of the parent pyridiniumsalts and those having an