The invention relates to 2-benzylthio-8-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines and a process for the preparation thereof. These compounds can be used for the preparation of 2-benzylthio[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine compounds, which are important intermediates in the preparation of N-aryl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines.
The reaction is generally carried out by combining one molar equivalent of a 2-benzylthio-8-chloro[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine compound with at least 3 molar equivalents of stannous chloride, one molar equivalent of stannic chloride, and an excess of hydrogen chloride or at least one molar equivalent of the alcohol.