Chichibabin reaction

Chichibabin reaction
Named after Aleksei Chichibabin
Reaction type Substitution reaction
Identifiers
RSC ontology ID RXNO:0000527

The Chichibabin reaction (pronounced ' (chē')-chē-bā-bēn) is a method for producing 2-aminopyridine derivatives by the reaction of pyridine with sodium amide. It was reported by Aleksei Chichibabin in 1914.[1] The following is the overall form of the general reaction:

Chichibabin Reaction

The direct amination of pyridine with sodium amide can take place in liquid ammonia or an aprotic solvent such as xylene is commonly used. Following the addition elimination mechanism first a nucleophilic NH2 is added while a hydride (H) is leaving. The reaction formally is a nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen SNH.

Ciganek describes an example of an intramolecular Chichibabin reaction in which a nitrile group on a fused ring is the source of nitrogen in amination.[2]

  1. ^ Chichibabin, A. E.; Zeide, O. A. (1914). "New Reaction for Compounds Containing the Pyridine Nucleus". Zhur. Russ. Fiz. Khim. Obshch (J. Russ. Phys. Chem. Soc.). 46: 1216–36.
  2. ^ Ciganek, E. (1992). "Tertiary Carbinamines by Addition of Organocerium Reagents to Nitriles and Ketimines". Journal of Organic Chemistry. 57 (16): 4521–7. doi:10.1021/jo00042a037.