An efficient, microwave assisted solvent-free synthesis of polarized enamines

Abstract

Reactions of acetophenones (la-e), phenylacetonitriles (If-h) and nitromethane (li) with dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal were carried out in domestic microwave oven to give 3-dimcthylamino-1-arylprop-2-en-1-ones (2a-e), 3-dimethylamino-1-arylacrylonitriles (2f-h) and 2-dimethylamino-1-nitroethene (2i), respectively, in very good to excellent yields. This methodology represents an eco-friendly green approach to these valuable synthons and has the advantage of involving shorter reaction times, solvent-less conditions and higher yields.