The photoinitiated substitution reactions of 2‐pyridinecarbonitrile with benzophenone in aqueous 2‐propanol

The photoinitiated reaction of 2-pyridinecarbonitrile and benzophenone in acidic 4:1 2-propanol-water yields substitution product 3 and bicyclic product 4. In nonacidic solution 3 is the principal product in addition to small amounts of a bipyridyl compound 5.