Open AccessTransition Metal-free Methylation of Amines with Formaldehyde as the Reductant and Methyl Source
Author(s) -
Nikki Y. T. Man,
Wanfang Li,
Scott G. Stewart,
XiaoFeng Wu
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/chimia.2015.345
Subject(s) - formaldehyde , steric effects , chemistry , methylation , transition metal , primary (astronomy) , metal , organic chemistry , catalysis , biochemistry , physics , astronomy , gene
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.