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Minisci reaction

The Minisci reaction is a named reaction in organic chemistry. It is a nucleophilic radical substitution to an electron deficient aromatic compound, most commonly the introduction of an alkyl group to a nitrogen containing heterocycle. The reaction was published in 1971 by F. Minisci. In the case of N-Heterocycles, the conditions must be acidic to ensure protonation of said heterocycle. A typical reaction is that between pyridine and pivalic acid with silver nitrate, sulfuric acid and ammonium persulfate to form 2-tert-butylpyridine. The reaction resembles Friedel-Crafts alkylation but with opposite reactivity and selectivity.

Utility of the Minisci Reaction
The reaction allows for alkylation of electron deficient heterocyclic species which is not possible with Friedel-Crafts chemistry. A method for alkylating electron deficient arenes, nucleophilic aromatic substitution, is also unavailable to electron deficient heterocycles as the ionic nucleophilic species used will deprotonate the heterocycle over acting as a nucleophile. Again, in contrast to nucleophilic aromatic substitution, the Minisci reaction does not require functionalisation of the arene, allowing for direct C-H functionalisation. which increases the functional group tolerance of the reaction. The reaction has been the subject of much research in recent years, with a focus placed on improved reactivity towards a greater variety of heterocycles, increasing the number of alkylating reagents that can be used, and employing milder oxidants and acids. == Mechanism ==
Mechanism
A free radical is formed from the carboxylic acid in an oxidative decarboxylation with silver salts and an oxidizing agent. The oxidizing agent (ammonium persulfate) oxidizes the Ag(+) to Ag(2+) under the acidic reaction conditions. This induces a hydrogen atom abstraction by the silver, followed by radical decarboxylation. The carbon-centered radical then reacts with the pyridinium aromatic compound. The ultimate product is formed by rearomatization. The acylated product is formed from the acyl radical. == References ==
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