Cyclodehydration of N-(aminoalkyl)benzamides under mild conditions with a Hendrickson reagent analogue.

Methods for the cyclodehydration of N-(aminoalkyl)benzamides are few and employ harsh reaction conditions. We have found that the easily prepared phosphonium anhydrides 1 (Hendrickson reagent) or 2 can be used for cyclodehydration of N-(aminoalkyl)benzamides under very mild conditions (room temperature) to produce five-, six-, and seven-membered cyclic amidines. Good yields are obtained by employing a temporary trityl group protection strategy. Cyclic analogue 2 can be used when the product cyclic amidine is organic-soluble, thus producing water-soluble byproducts.