Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 10, 2025

A Microwave-Assisted Direct Heteroarylation of Ketones Using Transition Metal Catalysis
Published on: February 16, 2020
Direct N1-Selective Alkylation of Hydantoins Using Potassium Bases
Yumi Shintani1, Koichi Kato2, Masashi Kawami3
1Department of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University.
Abstract:
Hydantoins, including the antiepileptic drug phenytoin, contain an amide nitrogen and an imide nitrogen, both of which can be alkylated. However, due to the higher acidity of its proton, N3 can be more easily alkylated than N1 under basic conditions. In this study, we explored methods for direct N1-selective methylation of phenytoin and found that conditions using potassium bases [potassium tert-butoxide (tBuOK) and potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS)] in tetrahydrofuran (THF) gave N1-monomethylated phenytoin in good yield. The applicable scope of this reaction system was found to include various hydantoins and alkyl halides. To explore the function of methylated hydantoins, the effects of a series of methylated phenytoins on P-glycoprotein were examined, but none of methylated products showed inhibitory activity toward rhodamine 123 efflux by P-glycoprotein.
More Related Videos
07:30A Direct, Regioselective and Atom-Economical Synthesis of 3-Aroyl-N-hydroxy-5-nitroindoles by Cycloaddition of 4-Nitronitrosobenzene with Alkynones
Published on: January 21, 2020
09:58Metal-free Synthesis of Ynones from Acyl Chlorides and Potassium Alkynyltrifluoroborate Salts
Published on: February 24, 2015
Related Concept Videos
α-Alkylation of Ketones via Enolate Ions
Factors Affecting α-Alkylation of Ketones: Choice of Base
The reaction involving bases like EtO− whose conjugate acid EtOH (pKa = 15.9) is stronger than the ketone (pKa = 19.2) results in an equilibrium mixture with higher ketone concentration. As a consequence,...
Preparation of Amines: Alkylation of Ammonia and Amines
Each alkylation step makes the nitrogen center more nucleophilic, which triggers successive alkylations until a quaternary ammonium salt is formed. Considering...
Preparation of 1° Amines: Gabriel Synthesis
Strong bases like NaOH or KOH deprotonate the phthalimide to form the corresponding anion, which acts as a nucleophile. Further, the anion attacks an...
Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Mechanism
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.