Self-propagated Lossen rearrangement induced by a catalytic amount of activating agents under mild conditions

Abstract

A mild self-propagated Lossen rearrangement induced by a catalytic amount of activating agents in medium to high polar organic solvents has been developed. The rearrangement of aromatic and aliphatic hydroxamic acids in the presence of a catalytic amount (0.01equiv) of acetic anhydride and an equimolar amount of base such as well-dried potassium carbonate afforded the corresponding amines in high yields. This alternative to traditional Lossen rearrangement provides a simple and mild method for the synthesis of amines from free hydroxamic acids.