PEG 400 promoted nucleophilic substitution reaction of halides into organic azides under mild conditions

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) has been demonstrated as an efficient and eco-friendly reaction medium for the preparation of organic azides from structurally diverse halides by nucleophilic substitution reaction with NaN₃ under mild conditions. The advantages of this protocol are: operational simplicity, environmental safety, broad substrate scope, excellent functional group tolerance, and short reaction time. The PEG 400 can be recovered and reused.