Oxidation of 1-substituted 2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium salts Ia-Ij with potassium ferricyanide in an alkaline medium was accompanied by contraction of the pyridine ring and formation of 1,2,3,5-tetrasubstituted pyrroles II. The derivative IIf underwent facile electrophilic substitution in the position 4. Contrary to compounds Ia-Ij, the 1-substituted-2,6-diphenylpyridinium salts IIIa,b were oxidized to give a complex reaction mixture containing 4-pyridones IVa,b.