Preparation of N-Alkylphtalimides Assisted by Solid-Liquid Phase-Transfer Systems

Abstract

N-Alkylphtalimides are intermediates in the synthesis of primary amines¹ and are generally prepared from potassium phtalimide and alkyl halides in anhydrous polar aprotic solvents such as dimethylformamide.² Recently, N-alkylation of potassium phtalimide has been achieved from alkyl halides and methanesulfonates in toluene in the presence of hexadecyltributylphosphonium bromide³.