PEG-400 mediated sp3 C-H functionalization of aza-arenes: an enroute to the synthesis of 2-(2-(6-methylpyridiniquinolin-2-yl)-1-phenylethyl)malononitriles

Polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) has been discovered to be an effective eco-friendly solvent cum activator for the one-pot coupling of 2,6-dimethyl-pyridine or 2-methylquinoline, malononitrile and aldehydes to produce aza-arene derivatives through a sp(3) bond functionalization. The reaction was performed under mild conditions and the generality of the one-pot reaction was investigated. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.