Selective oligomerization of nitriles having α-hydrogen catalyzed by alkali

• Published in: Journal of molecular catalysis. A, Chemical Vol. 201; no. 1; pp. 155 - 160
• Main Authors: Tao, Xiaochun, Liu, Taoping, Tao, Hui, Liu, Ruzhang, Qian, Yanlong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.07.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: 4-Aminopyrimidine; Alkali; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Nitriles; Oligomerization; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Alkali; Nitriles; Oligomerization; Catalysis; 4-Aminopyrimidine; Base catalysis; Nitrile; Nitrogen heterocycle; Catalyst selectivity; Experimental study; Homogeneous catalysis; Acetonitrile; Sodium hydride; Pyrimidine derivatives; Cyclotrimerization; Dimerization; 4-Aminopyrimidine: Alkali
• ISSN: 1381-1169; 1873-314X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1381-1169(03)00154-7

Highly selective cyclotrimerization of acetonitrile was achieved in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium hydride under mild conditions to produce 4-amino-2,6-dimethylpyrimidine in satisfactory yields. This catalytic system is also efficient for reactions of other nitriles having α-hydrogen. Linear dimers, linear- or cyclo-trimers can be obtained selectively. Highly selective cyclotrimerization of acetonitrile was achieved in the presence of a catalytic amount of alkali under mild conditions to produce 4-amino-2,6-dimethylpyrimidine in satisfactory yields. Among different base catalysts sodium hydride has the highest activity in this reaction. This catalytic system is also efficient for reactions of other nitriles having α-hydrogen. Linear dimers, linear- or cyclo-trimers can be obtained selectively.