Robin Wood

Development of a microwave-enhanced isotopic labelling procedure based on the Eschweiler–Clarke methylation reaction

A number of primary and secondary amines have been rapidly methylated under microwave-enhanced conditions using formic acid-formaldehyde mixtures, providing a route to 2H(D)-containing compounds and the potential for 3H(T), 11C, 13C and 14C labelling.

Improved yields of meta-amination and symmetrical and unsymmetrical diamination of benzenes

Abstract Much higher yields were found after shorter reaction times for the meta -substituted amination of benzenes in DMPU with microwave heating in a sealed tube (180°C, 5 h), e.g. piperidine and m -fluorobenzonitrile 1 gave the m -substituted 3 in 92% yield. These modified reaction conditions also afforded a new synthesis of unsymmetrical diamines in >80% yield.

The ‘Eenie–Meenie reaction’. Displacement reactions of bisanilinopyrimidines

Abstract A novel acid-catalysed nucleophilic displacement reaction of pyrimidines is described, involving quinone–methide type chemistry. A wide range of nucleophiles can be tolerated. A similar mechanism is also applied to the synthesis of a tricyclic system.