To an appropriately substituted 2-halopyridine X (e.g. 2-chloro-6-methoxypyridine), where Y is a halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, and R30 is a group appropriate to direct the following lithiation to the 5-position (e.g. R30=methoxy), in a non-reactive solvent (e.g. tetrahydrofuran) typically cooled in a ???78??? C. acetone/dry ice bath is added a solution of organolithium reagent (e.g. ter