Synthesis 2011(22): 3730-3740  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1260238
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Palladium(II) Acetate as Catalyst for the N-Alkylation of Aromatic Amines, Sulfonamides, and Related Nitrogenated Compounds with Alcohols by a Hydrogen Autotransfer Process

Ana Martínez-Asencio, Miguel Yus, Diego J. Ramón*
Departamento de Química Orgánica and Instituto de Síntesis Orgánica, Universidad de Alicante, Apdo. 99, 03080 Alicante, Spain
Fax: +34(96)5903549; e-Mail: djramon@ua.es;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 29 July 2011
Publication Date:
23 September 2011 (online)

Abstract

Palladium(II) acetate is a versatile, inexpensive, and simple catalyst for the selective N-monoalkylation of amino derivatives with poor nucleophilic character, such as aromatic and heteroaromatic amines as well as carboxamides, sulfonamides, and phos­phazenes, using, in all cases, primary alcohols as the initial source of the electrophile, through a hydrogen autotransfer process. The regioselectivity of the benzothiazol-2-amine alkylation is contrary to that found using halogenated electrophiles.