Direct oxidative synthesis of nitrones from aldehydes and primary anilines using graphite oxide and Oxone

One-pot condensation/oxidation of aldehydes and primary anilines into nitrones using graphite oxide (GO) and Oxone as the oxidant under very mild reaction conditions is described. The proposed method provides a direct oxidative synthesis of various nitrones in good to excellent yields under metal-free conditions in short reaction times. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.