The Ritter Reaction under Truly Catalytic Brønsted Acid Conditions

Abstract

Abstract Simple organic acids like 2,4‐dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBSA) catalyze the Ritter reaction of secondary benzylic alcohols giving rise to the corresponding N ‐benzylacetamides in usually high yields. Reactions can be conducted without exclusion of oxygen and without the need of dry solvents. With tertiary α,α‐dimethylbenzylic alcohols a different pathway involving a formal dimerization reaction takes place under the acid‐catalytic conditions used. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)