New Method for the Synthesis of 2‐Aza‐1,3‐Butadienes

Abstract

2‐Aza‐1,3‐butadienes have been synthesized from carbonyl compounds and 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexamethyl‐disilazane in the presence of cobalt‐containing catalysts. The best yields (up to 95%) were achieved in the case of aldehydes branched in the α-position and 2-methylcyclohexanone. In the case of two α,β‐unsaturated ketones, pyridine derivatives were found as the main products.

Keywords:

• 2‐Aza‐1,3‐butadienes
• pyridine derivatives
• carbonyl compounds
• 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyl-disilazane
• cobalt catalysts

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge helpful discussion with F. Ungváry, G. Szalontai, and B. Szabo, technical assistance of E. Fekete and E. Klujber, and financial support from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Grant No. OTKA T031934).