Microwave assisted water mediated benzylic C-H functionalization of methyl aza-arenes and nucleophilic addition to aromatic aldehydes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetlet.2013.07.053

A highly efficient method is described for the sp³ C-H bond functionalization of methyl aza-arenes in the presence of water under microwave irradiation and subsequent addition to aromatic aldehydes. This transformation represents an efficient way to synthesize 2-alkyl aza-arene derivatives from simple starting materials.