4-Dialkylaminopyridines as Highly Active Acylation Catalysts. [New synthetic method (25)]

The synthesis of 4-dialkylaminopyridines can be accomplished in two steps starting from pyridine. Compared to pyridine, these derivatives are approximately 10⁴ times more active when used as acylation catalysts. Dialkylaminopyridines are being used with ever-increasing frequency for acylation reactions which proceed either incompletely or not at all in pyridine. This article reviews the various possible applications of 4-dialkylaminopyridines in terpene, steroid, carbohydrate and nucleoside chemistry as well as in the transformation of amino acids into α-acyl aminoketones and polymerization of isocyanates. In addition, N-substituted 4-dialkylaminopyridinium salts can be used for the transfer of sensitive groups to nucleophiles in aqueous medium. The exceptional catalytic effect of these derivatives, even in non-polar solvents, is due, in part, to the formation of high concentrations of N-acylpyridinium salts which are present in solution as loosely-bound, highly reactive ion pairs.