A mixture of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (Aldrich, 2.02 g, 10 mmol), sodium carbonate (1.27 g, 12 mmol), dioctadecylamine (Pfaltz & Bauer, 6.26 g, 12 mmol) and dry dimethylformamide (10 mL) was heated to 80°-90° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere for 1 h. The cooled mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ether. The extracts were washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed and the solid recrystallized to give N,N-dioctadecyl-2,4-dinitrobenzenamine (6.0 g, 87%): mp 55.5°-57.5° C.
