An efficient two-step total synthesis of the quaterpyridine nemertelline.

Regioselective and univocal Suzuki cross-coupling reactions performed on halopyridinyl boronic acids provide a flexible and versatile route to a multigram scale synthesis of 2,2'-dichloro-3,4'-bipyridine 14, which allows couplings with excess pyridin-3-yl boronic acid to give a new and efficient two-step rapid synthesis of nemertelline, the quaterpyridine neurotoxin isolated from a Hoplonemertine sea worm.