Catalyst-Free Decarboxylative Amination of Carboxylic Acids in Water Microdroplets

Previous studies have shown that hydroxyl radicals can be formed at the water-gas surface of water microdroplets. We report the use of in situ generated hydroxyl radicals to carry out an organic transformation in one step, namely, the formation of anilines from aryl acids as well as both ammonia and primary/secondary amines via decarboxylation. Benzoic acids and amines are dissolved in water, and the solution is sprayed to form microdroplets whose chemical contents are analyzed mass spectrometrically. All intermediates and products are determined using mass spectrometry (MS) as well as in some cases tandem mass spectrometry (MS²). These results support the following reaction mechanism: NR₂OH, formed via reaction of the amine with •OH, reacts with benzoic acid to form an isocyanate via a Lossen rearrangement. Hydrolysis followed by liberation of CO₂ then delivers the aniline product. Notably, the scope of this transformation includes a variety of amines and aromatic acids and enables their conversion into aniline and N-substituted anilines, all in a single step. Additionally, this reaction occurs at room temperature and does not require metal catalysts or organic solvents.