Formic Acid → 3-(1-Methylazetidin-2-yl)pyridine

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a solution of 920 mg (6.88 mmoles) of the 2-(3-pyridyl)azetidine produced in Example 2 in 9 ml of water was added a solution of 660 mg (8.83 mmoles) of formaldehyde (40% w/w) in 9 ml of water and 755 mg (14.5 mmoles) of 88% formic acid in 9 ml of water. After heating on a steam bath for 2 hours, cooling to 0° C. and adding 1.21 g (14.4 mmoles) of sodium bicarbonate, the colored solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to 7 ml. It was then dried by azeotroping in benzene and ethyl alcohol to give a dry benzene solution containing insolubles. These insolubles were then filtered off to yield a solution of N-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)azetidine.

Provenance & Evidence