When 2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine was oxidized, the formed N-oxide immediately cyclized at the ethynyl group to form isoxazolo[2,3-a]pyridinium salt. This salt underwent Reissert-Henze-type reactions with alcohol in the presence of a base to afford 6-substituted 2-phenacylpyridines, which are not easily synthesized through alternative procedures. When acetonitrile was used as a solvent, an amide functional group was introduced into the phenacylpyridine framework. Moreover, a hetero-atom at the 6-position facilitated the oxidation of the phenacyl group to afford α-diketones upon simple exposure of the reaction mixture to air.