Fh. Song et al., Ring-centered heterocyclic cations and the direct heteroarylation of aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, ORG LETT, 1(12), 1999, pp. 1957-1959
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The protonation of heterocyclic diazotates (attachment adjacent to a nitrog
en atom) yields ring-centered heterocyclic carbocations that are highly rea
ctive. The carbocations were found to alkylate aromatic and heterocyclic co
mpounds, such as benzene, N-methylpyrrole, and 2-aminopyridine, in reaction
s that are synthetically useful. This carbocation involvement may serve as
a paradigm for the cross-linking of DNA by nitrous acid and the anticancer
activity of heterocyclic diazotates.