3-Cyanopyridine, when treated with organolithium or Grignard reagents, gives addition to the 6-position and provides a series of 2-substituted 5-cyanopyridines (6-substituted 3-cyanopyridines). Alternatively, 2-and 4-cyanopyridine react with $CH_3Li$ or $CH_3Mgl$ and provide 2-acetylpyridine and 4-acetylpyridine, respectively.