FACILE SYNTHESIS OF DIARYLMETHYLPYRIDINES/DIARYLMETHYLQUINOLINES THROUGH SUPERELECTROPHILIC ACTIVATION OF PYRIDINECARBOXALDEHYDES/QUINOLINECARBOXALDEHYDES WITH BORON TRIFLUORIDE MONOHYDRATE

Synthesis of diarylmethylpyridines and diarylmethylquinolines has been achieved by Friedel-Crafts hydroxyalkylation reactions of pyridinecarboxaldehydes and quinolinecarboxaldehydes with aromatic compounds under superelectrophilic activation using boron trifluoride monohydrate system (BF 3 -H 2 O). Since BF 3 -H 2 O is more economic, easy to prepare and offers high acidity (H 0 ≈ -12), this method using BF 3 -H 2 O is found to be more convenient and useful compared to the methods reported earlier. The reaction is very simple and clean, eliminating the use of organic solvents and other expensive acid systems. Products are obtained in high yields and purity in most cases.