When reducing the amide with LAH, is it necessary to perform the rxn under nitrogen? I ask this out of confusion. On Rhodiums site, the IAA -> DMT writeup has 2 synths on reducing the amide to dmt. One of them calls for nitrogen and allowing the rxn to stir for 40 hours.
"To a stirred suspension of LiAlH4 (0.4 g, 10.5 mmol) in dry THF (15 ml), the amide 2 (0.4 g, 1.98 mmol) dissolved in dry dichloromethane (25 ml) was added slowly. The mixture was stirred for 48 hrs at room temperature under nitrogen...."
The other, not nearly as detailed, reads:
"A suspension of finally-divided amide (2.1 g) in 100 ml of ether was added to a slurry of 0.8 g of LiAlH4 in 50 ml of ether, and the mixt refluxed for 4 hrs. The mixt. was treated in the usual way, and the final org. extract of amine gave after recryst. from hexane 1.6 g (85%) of material mp 47-49°C."
I am curious as to why it is needed. What purpose does it serve?
Also, is it just me or is there very little in the FSE on this method.. is it just that easy that no one needs to ask questions? Sounds to me like a detailed writeup is in order, complete with juicy pictures
Thanks