3-Bromo-4-methylpyridine may be used as a building block in the preparation of: · substituted 4-(2,2-diphenylethyl)pyridine-N-oxides for use as potent phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitors · benzodiazepine site ligands bearing tricyclic pyridone moiety for human GABAA receptor · a novel isomer of ascididemin · 3-bromopyridine-4-carbonitrile 3-Bromo-4-methylpyridine may be used as a building block in the preparation of: · substituted 4-(2,2-diphenylethyl)pyridine-N-oxides for use as potent phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitors · benzodiazepine site ligands bearing tricyclic pyridone moiety for human GABAA receptor · a novel isomer of ascididemin · 3-bromopyridine-4-carbonitrile