Microwaves and Aqueous Solvents Promote the Reaction of Poorly Nucleophilic Anilines with a Zincke Salt

The Zincke reaction allows the transformation of primary amines into their respective N-alkylated or N-arylated pyridinium salts. While nucleophilic primary amines (typically, aliphatic primary amines) often lead to quantitative reactions and has been documented profusely, the use of poorly nucleophilic amines still requires an in depth account. To date, the lack of nucleophilicity of the amines is redhibitory. The subject addressed in this article is a series of primary amines deriving from aniline having been engaged in Zincke reactions. Efficient transformations were obtained, even when conducted on electronically deactivated, eventually also sterically hindered, substrates. This was achieved by the combined use of microwave activation and aqueous solvents. Under our conditions, the role of water revealed indeed crucial to avoid the self-degradation of the Zincke salt, the reagent of the reaction.