Polyethylene glycol-400 used as phase transfer catalyst for one-pot synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyanopyridine derivatives under aqueous conditions

Abstract

A green, multicomponent reaction method for the synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyanopyridine derivatives is developed by using Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG-400) as phase transfer catalyst under aqueous conditions. Utilizing this protocol, 2-amino-3-cyanopyridines (5a-l) are synthesized by condensation followed by reactions of benzaldehyde, malononitrile, acetophenone and ammonium acetate. The prominent points for the present methodology are the use of a green solvent, cleaner reaction profile, efficiency, simplicity, easy work-up, excellent yields and recyclability of the solvent and final agreement with green chemistry protocols.