We previously reported the solvent-free reaction of 5-aryl-3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazine-5-carbo­nitriles with 2-amino-4-aryl-1,3-oxazoles, which afforded 4,5-diaryl-3-hydroxy-2,2′-bipyridine-6-carbonitriles. Similar reaction in anhydrous medium led to the formation of two products, previously described 4,5-diaryl-3-hydroxy-2,2′-bipyridine-6-carbonitriles (up to 44%) and 4,5-diaryl-2,2′-bipyridine-6-carbonitriles (up to 32%). © 2023, The Author(s).