Transition Metal-free Methylation of Amines with Formaldehyde as the Reductant and Methyl Source.
A simple transition metal-free procedure using formal dehyde for the N,N-dimethylation and N-methylation of primary and secondary anilines is reported. The reaction showed limitations on sterically hindered and electron-withdrawing anilines, but is successful on amines with electron-donating substituents. Formaldehyde acts as both the reducing agent and the carbon source in the reaction.
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
Nikki Y T
NY
Man
Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. an der Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 29a 18059 Rostock, Germany.
Wanfang
W
Li
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.
Scott G
SG
Stewart
Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. an der Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 29a 18059 Rostock, Germany. xiao-feng.wu@catalysis.de.
Xiao-Feng
XF
Wu
D000588:Amines / Q000737:chemistry*; D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D004583:Electrons; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000737:chemistry*; D008745:Methylation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D019163:Reducing Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D000588:Amines; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D019163:Reducing Agents; D005557:Formaldehyde