An atom-economical addition of methyl azaarenes with aromatic aldehydes via benzylic C(sp³)–H bond functionalization under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions

• Divya Rohini Yennamaneni,
• Vasu Amrutham,
• Krishna Sai Gajula,
• Rammurthy Banothu,
• Murali Boosa and
• Narender Nama

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 3093–3103, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.259

• 19, Kamala Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, UP-201002, India 10.3762/bjoc.16.259 Abstract A convenient practical approach for the synthesis of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanols by direct benzylic addition of azaarenes and aldehydes under catalyst- and solvent-free conditions is reported. This reaction is metal-free

• azaarene derivatives under neat conditions through a highly atom-economical pathway. To evaluate the preparative potential of this process, gram-scale reactions were performed up to a 10 g scale. Keywords: aldehydes; azaarenes; benzylic addition; green chemistry; solvent-free conditions; Introduction

• atom economy and reduces large amounts of waste generated by the unnecessary utilization of catalysts and solvents. Notably, this reaction is compatible with a gram scale, and further research is yet to be developed towards more sustainability. Benzylic addition of aldehydes to azaarenes using