Commercial Pd/C-Catalyzed N-Methylation of Nitroarenes and Amines Using Methanol as Both C1 and H2 Source

J Org Chem. 2019 Dec 6;84(23):15389-15398. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b02141. Epub 2019 Nov 21.

Abstract

Herein, we report commercially available carbon-supported-palladium (Pd/C)-catalyzed N-methylation of nitroarenes and amines using MeOH as both a C1 and a H2 source. This transformation proceeds with high atom-economy and in an environmentally friendly way via borrowing hydrogen mechanism. A total of >30 structurally diverse N-methylamines, including bioactive compounds, were selectively synthesized with isolated yields of up to 95%. Furthermore, selective N-methylation and deuteration of nimesulide, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, were realized through the late-stage functionalization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amines / chemistry*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry
  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Drug Discovery
  • Methanol / chemistry*
  • Methylation
  • Nitro Compounds / chemistry*
  • Palladium / chemistry*
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / chemistry*
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry

Substances

  • Amines
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Sulfonamides
  • Palladium
  • Carbon
  • nimesulide
  • Methanol