An efficient route to two functionalized 2-aryl-5H-chromeno[2,3-b]pyridines (azaxanthenes) is reported.The addition of lithiated 2,6-dichloropyridine to salicylaldehyde followed by cyclization was a key process improvement identified for the formation of the azaxanthene core.Further elaboration of 2-chloro-5H-chromeno[2,3-b]pyridin-5-ol at the 5 position was accomplished via Lewis acid-catalyzed coupling with com. available [(1-methoxy-2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)oxy]trimethylsilane.A partial classical resolution coupled with a preparative chiral supercritical fluid chromatog. (SFC) separation was used to isolate the desired enantiomer of the azaxanthene carboxylic acid that is a common intermediate for both compounds I (R = Me, Et).Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling with appropriately substituted boronic acids, followed by condensation with 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole, provided the target compounds I (R = Me, Et) with an overall yield of approx. 10%.The use of stable, amorphous materials to support clin. comparison of functionalized azaxanthenes I (R = Me, Et) is also discussed.