Diazotisation of aromatic amines and solvolysis of diazonium salts in ethylene glycol ethers

Abstract

Aniline and unhindered alkyl-substituted anilines undergo solvolysis in dioxane and DME saturated with dry hydrogen chloride on diazotisation with isoamyl nitrite to give 2-(2-chloroethoxy)ethyl aryl ethers and 2-methoxyethyl aryl ethers respectively in 36-47% yields. 2,6-Dialkyl-substituted anilines give the corresponding chloro compounds as the major product along with the aryl ethers in lower yields. Diazotisation of aniline in ethylene glycol and monomethyl ethers of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol gave the corresponding alcoholysis products in low yields. The solvolysis of aniline did not occur on diazotisation in diethyl ether or THF.