Direct amination of 1-substituted 3,5-dinitrobenzenes by 1,1,1-trimethylhydrazinium iodide.

The amination of 1-X-3,5-dinitrobenzenes via the vicarious nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (VNS) with 1,1,1-trimethylhydrazinium iodide (TMHI) in the presence of t-BuOK or NaOMe in DMSO was studied. It was observed (when X = OMe, OCH(2)CF(3), OCH(2)CF(2)CF(2)H, OPh) that the amination occurs regioselectively (ratio of ortho/para-isomers is approximately 9:1) and with high yield. For X = SPh or SCH(2)Ph, the reaction proceeded with a low yield (less than 20%), with a ratio of ortho/para-isomers approximately 1:1.