Selective synthesis of mono- and di-methylated amines using methanol and sodium azide as C1 and N1 sources
A Ru(ii) complex mediated synthesis of various N,N-dimethyl and N-monomethyl amines from organic azides using methanol as a methylating agent is reported. This methodology was successfully applied for a one-pot reaction of bromide derivatives and sodium azide in methanol. Notably, by controlling the reaction time several N-monomethylated and N,N-dimethylated amines were synthesized selectively. The practical applicability of this tandem process was revealed by preparative scale reactions with different organic azides and synthesis of an anti-vertigo drug betahistine. Several kinetic experiments and DFT studies were carried out to understand the mechanism of this transformation.
Oxidation of secondary amines by molecular oxygen and cyclohexanone monooxygenase
Cyclohexanone monooxygenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus catalyzed the oxidation of tertiary and secondary amines to N-oxides and nitrones, respectively. The formation of a hydroxylamine intermediate was involved with secondary amines as starting substrates.