In this project, the reaction between nitrocyclopropane (NCP) and various amines are explored under microwave heating conditions. The previously reported reaction of aniline and NCP included 17 hours of traditional heating using acetonitrile as the solvent. By altering both solvent and microwave irradiation conditions, we were able to reduce the reaction time to 3 hours using acetonitrile as the solvent and 2 hours using water as a solvent. Both processes are more efficient and exhibit concepts of green chemistry. The conditions derived for aniline were then used to probe the scope of this reaction with electron withdrawing, electron donating, and sterically hindered aniline derivatives. Electron donating and alkyl amines work well, however electron withdrawing and sterically hindered amines have not been as successful. Current efforts are aimed at promoting these reactions by increasing reaction times, reaction temperature, and equivalents of base. We are also obtaining yields for successful reactions.
