Reactions of 1,2,4‐Oxadiazole[4,5‐a]piridinium Salts with Alcohols: the Synthesis of Alkoxybutadienyl 1,2,4‐Oxadiazoles

1,2,4‐Oxadiazole[4,5‐a]piridinium salts add alcohols and alkoxides to undergo electrocyclic ring opening affording alkoxybutadienyl 1,2,4‐oxadiazole derivatives. The pyridinium salts represent a special class of Zincke salts that are prone to rearrange to give alkoxybutadienyl 1,2,4‐oxadiazoles when treated with suitable nucleophiles or, alternatively, to give pyridones in the presence of bicarbonate. The pivotal tuning of the experimental conditions leads to a straightforward synthesis of valuable 1,2,4‐oxadiazole derivatives. The mechanism is also discussed in the light of previous observations.