Selective N,N-dimethylation of primary aromatic amines with dimethyl carbonate in the presence of diphenylammonium triflate

A facile synthesis of N,N-dimethylanilines (NNDMA) from primary aromatic amines and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) has been achieved for the first time in the presence of diphenylammonium triflate. N,N-Dimethylanilines were selectively obtained in high yields. All the reaction parameters, viz. reaction temperature, time, molar ratio of the reactants, and catalyst amount were examined in the reaction of aniline and dimethyl carbonate. The conversion of aniline and the selectivity to N,N-dimethylaniline were 99.9 and 99.6%, respectively, at 180 degreesC in 160 min. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.