A practical synthesis of 2-((1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]-pyridine-4-yl)methylamino)-5-fluoronicotinic acid

A practical synthesis of a key pharmaceutical intermediate, 2-[(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-4-yl)methylamino]-5fluoronicotinic acid is described. To introduce the aminomethyl moiety of 4-aminomethyl-7-azaindole through a palladium-catalyzed cyanation/reduction sequence, a regioselective chlorination of 7-azaindole through the N-oxide is developed.